The Youth Transportation Program uses a combination of strategies that are guided by the 6 Es framework developed by the National Safe Routes to School Partnership.
Due to COVID-19, the Community Planning & Permitting Department is providing most services virtually. Our physical office in Boulder is currently closed, but staff is available for virtual appointments. Schedule an appointment.
Youth Transportation Program - Safe Routes
About
Boulder County’s Youth Transportation Program supports national, state, and local partners, including youth and their caregivers, to prepare our youth to safely and effectively utilize and navigate our transportation systems. We aim to help young people grow into more independent travelers and safe multi-modal transportation users by increasing awareness of and experiences with pedestrians, bicyclists, and/or all vehicle types and by promoting healthy transportation alternatives such as walking and biking/scooting/rolling.
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Program Framework - the 6 Es
Introduction to Walking School Buses – Friday, October 22, 2021 at 1 p.m.
Walking School Buses (WSB) are fun and active ways to get to and from school while learning the important skills of being a pedestrian, while also increasing adult presence! If you’re interested in the idea of a WSB but want to learn more about them, please register for this free virtual training from 1-2 p.m. on Friday, 10/22.
Interested in attending or hosting a future Safe Walking or Biking Discussion Session? Please let us know.
¿Está interesado(a/e) en asistir u organizar una futura Sesión de Caminar Seguro(a/e) o El Ciclismo Seguro(a/e)? Por favor háganos saber.
Safe Walking Discussion Sessions
Free, interactive, facilitated family discussions. Held online via Zoom from 5:30-6:30pm on the following dates:
- Ages 5-9: March 17, 2021
- Ages 10-14: March 31, 2021
- Ages 15-18: April 21, 2021 (Optional to attend with an adult)
Sesiones de Discusiones Sobre Caminar Seguro(a/e)
Discusiones familiares, gratuitas, interactivas y facilitadas a través de Zoom de 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. en las siguientes fechas:
- Edades 5-9: 7 de abril
- Edades 10-14: 12 de abril
- Edades 15-18: 19 de abril – Opcional para asistir con un(a/x) adulto(a/e)
Safe Biking Discussion Sessions
Free, interactive, facilitated family discussions. Held online via Zoom from 5:30-6:30pm on the following dates:
- Ages 15-18: April 26, 2021 (Optional to attend with an adult)
- Ages 10-14: April 28, 2021
- Ages 5-9: May 3, 2021
Sesiones de Discusiones Sobre el Ciclismo Seguro(a/e)
Discusiones familiares, gratuitas, interactivas y facilitadas a través de Zoom de 5:30 – 6:30 p.m. en las siguientes fechas:
- Edades 15-18: 10 de mayo – Opcional para asistir con un(a/x) adulto(a/e)
- Edades 10-14: 12 de mayo
- Edades 5-9: 24 de mayo
October 6, 2021
National Walk to School Day (aka “Walktober”) events bring attention to the joy and value of safe walking and rolling. Along with Bike to School Day, these events can lead to changes in communities’ policies and physical environments that help support safe walking and biking everyday.
November 17, 2021
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day, created by 5th grade students in San Francisco in 2018, provides an opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and today’s social change efforts. The event celebrates the courage of Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old who changed history by becoming the first black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school.
May 4, 2022
National Bike to School Day provides an opportunity for schools across the country to celebrate National Bike Month while promoting road safety for the youth who participate and entire communities.
Trip Tracker encourages and rewards students and their families for using alternatives to single family car transportation to school, with the goal of reducing traffic congestion and air pollution around schools and building environmentally and physically healthy habits among students. Participating students earn Trip Tracker dollars, which can be used like cash at local business or donated to local nonprofit organizations. The Trip Tracker program is available both for students in the Boulder Valley and St. Vrain School Districts. (BVSD manages its own program while SVVSD’s program is managed by Boulder County but implemented in partnership with SVVSD.)
More Boulder County School Programs/Resources
Trip Tracker 6-Year Summary (SVVSD)
Because the Trip Tracker Program was paused in St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) for the 2020-2021 school year, it allowed us time to analyze the program’s first 6 years of implementation.
Please check out what you accomplished here. Well done, Trip Trackers!
Bicycle Longmont, YMCA gift roughly 200 bikes to children on Saturday
Cammie Edson, Boulder County Youth Transportation Program Manager, volunteered with the Kids (Holiday) Bike Program, which gifted about 200 bikes to children aged 4-12 on Saturday, May 22.
Article published by the Longmont Times-Call on May 23, 2021.
Colorado Safe Routes to School Programs in Colorado – 2020 Statewide Program Assessment Report
This report provides an overview of the state of Safe Routes to School programming in Colorado and a high-level assessment of challenges, innovations, and opportunities. The two Trip Tracker Programs in Boulder County (BVSD and SVVSD) are highlighted as a case study.
The cover photo features a local Longmont family who participated in Trip Tracker at an SVVSD school!
Boulder County School Travel Study /
Estudio de Viajes Escolares del Condado de Boulder
CU Denver is seeking study participants: Students ages 9 to 18 who attend public schools in either of Boulder County’s two school districts and their parents or caregivers are invited to participate in one 3-hour, in-person, small-group community interview session. Childcare for younger siblings and food will be provided. Student and adult participants will be compensated for their time with a choice of local gift cards. Participation is limited, so join the waitlist!
Youth Transportation Options - Ways to get around Boulder County
Use this guide/checklist to explore and/or check off which options could help get you to and from school, work, friends’ and family members’ homes, or anywhere you want to go.
Safe Walking & Biking Resources
These resources are designed to help educators, parents, and others who care about pedestrian safety to engage children and youth in activities and conversations around pedestrian and road safety. Most materials are available online for free and are suitable for use in a school setting or one-on-one at home.
Traffic Gardens
Traffic gardens (also known as safety towns) are a miniature world of streets and traffic features that provide an opportunity for children to practice navigating streets and intersections in a fun and safe environment. Traffic gardens may be permanent facilities or temporary installations.
State & National Resources
National Safe Routes to School Partnership
Safe Routes to School provides funding and implementation support for Safe Routes to School programs in all 50 states and the District of Columbia. These programs include education, promotion, and enforcement campaigns and advocate for policies and infrastructure improvements that support safe walking and bicycling.
See programming recommendations for the 2020/21 school year, including recommendations for remote, hybrid, and in-person learning.
Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT) Safe Routes to School Program
A one-stop shop for schools, school districts, or communities who want to start a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program. Resources include grant applications, free webinars (and recordings), annual events, and toolkits/lesson plans/curricula.
Other Helpful Links:
National Center for Safe Routes to Schools
Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Health Impact in 5 Years (HI-5) initiative
- Division of Nutrition, Physical Activity, and Obesity
- Adolescent and School Health
- CDC Healthy Schools
The Community Guide
Highlights
Boulder County Travel Study / Estudio de Viajes Escolares del Condado de Boulder
CU Denver is seeking study participants: Boulder County public school students ages 9 to 18 and their parents/caregivers are invited to participate in a 3-hour group interview session. Childcare for younger siblings, food, and compensation (gift cards) will be provided.
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day
November 17, 2021
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day celebrates the courage of Ruby Bridges, a six-year-old who changed history by becoming the first black child to desegregate an all-white elementary school. It’s the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today’s collective efforts for change.
Trip Tracker 6-Year Summary (SVVSD)
Because the Trip Tracker Program was paused in St. Vrain Valley School District (SVVSD) for the 2020-2021 school year, it allowed us time to analyze the program’s first 6 years of implementation.
Please check out what you accomplished here. Well done, Trip Trackers!
Local nonprofit donates 200 bikes to kids aged 4-12
Cammie Edson, Boulder County Youth Transportation Program Manager, volunteered with the Kids (Holiday) Bike Program on Saturday, May 22. Read the Longmont Times-Call article.
Benefits of Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Check out this infographic to learn more about the numerous community benefits of Safe Routes to School programming, which include health, economic, safety, climate, and more!
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