This past year, six Columbus City Schools on the west side participated in the Safe Routes to School program.  Its a national program geared towards getting more kids to walk and bike to school in a safe and fun manner.  Consider biking was there to provide the educational resources and bicycle activities to all six schools.  Sidewalks have begun being built on Valleyview Dr. and should be fully connected to Hague Ave. by next year.  There is also a railroad crossing off of Hague Ave. that will be getting a 'face lift' so that it'll be safer for all the kids that have to cross the railroads tracks going to/from school.  School crossing beacons will be enhanced near Avondale Elementary.  

Aside from the 'non-infrastructure' part of the program (my job), physical changes have begun to take place in both the Franklinton and the Hilltop areas.  These have last effects in communities.  These visible changes that parents can see help make Safe Routes to School worthwhile.  

The kids at all of the schools really have enjoyed the program.  The program seems a bit more effective beginning at the Elementary levels.  It's a lot easier to engage and excite the younger ones.  I've grown a real bond with so many kids at each of the schools and I look forward to continuing the Safe Routes program in the following years with more innovative ideas in order to make Safe Routes an even more success.

I feel that the program this year was a success.  I was able to get kids to bike to school with me whom have never biked to school before.  I had kids running down the street wanting to make sure they meet up w/ me when I walk to school in the mornings.  I had parents who have thanked me and say that they appreciate the program.  I had way more volunteers than I expected.  

I gave tshirts to every student in all six schools.  The students have been wearing their tshirts on the specific day that I am at their school.  They love it and so do the teachers.  

Here are just a few of some pictures that I've captured through the program.

These are some of the students that wrote what their 'barriers' were in their neighborhood that  make it difficult to walk/bike to school

Mrs. Severs of Valleyview has been such a gem.  She implemented the SRTS curriculum and was also a Walking Captain.  She's a keeper!  Kevin is one of our active volunteers.

Devetric helping us out by being the crossing guard during our 'Walking Audits.'

Shyla-Ray and Jasmine.  My favorite twins!

The twins' father – David has been a fantastic father figure and leader as he volunteered every week.  

More kids who met us and rode to school.

Some of the kids wearing their Safe Routes tshirts

Columbus Police gave Safety Presentations to all six schools.  They were fantastic.

Students showing me their bicycle hand signals.

Walkers at Avondale Elem.  One of the teachers walking.  She's kind of awesome.

At Valleyview Elem.  More and more kids every week are now riding to school!

One of the teachers at Valleyview Elem. biking for her first time to school.  I met her on campus and biked from Campus to the Hilltop.  She lives in Clintonville.  She's totally hooked!

Stickers I made and gave out to kids who walked/biked with me

Sullivant Elem. student walkers!  What beautiful smiles!

Cara has been such an avid bicycle rider to Valleyview Elem.

These students a lot of others have bikes but no helmets, lights, or decent locks.  This program is able to provide a lot of students these incentives so they can feel safer while riding their bikes!