Promoting your Safe Routes program
Once your Safe Routes to School program is funded and in place, it’s time to make sure your neighbors are participating. For promotional materials, see the Marketing Toolkit section. Here are some ways you can help promote the program and make sure it’s having the impact it should.
- Hold a kickoff event in your neighborhood, focusing on area families. The kickoff event could include presentations about the importance of regular activity; safety training for kids, parents, and drivers; pedometer giveaways; and the launch of a neighborhood walking contest.
- Inform people about the improvements and events with homemade door-hanger cards. Then, improve your own health by walking door-to-door to hand them out!
- Start a Rack up the Miles contest in your neighborhood. People can log the miles (or steps) that they bike and walk, and each month the winner receives a prize.
- Be sure to announce the improvements and associated events at neighborhood association meetings and in the association’s newsletter.
- Put up posters around the neighborhood to remind everyone about the importance of walking and biking regularly (especially for children).
- Work with area parents to create walking school bus routes in the neighborhood surrounding your school so kids can walk or bike to school with adult supervision.
- Post signs near the school so drivers will know to expect children crossing.
