decline in the number of children admitted to UMDNJ University Hospital as a result of traffic injuries.

 

For more information about Miami’s WalkSafe Program, visit http://www.walksafe.us/

 

Garfield is National City-SRTS model

The Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) has posted reports on its 2007 City-SRTS

pilot project cities including one on Garfield, NJ. These reports evaluate communities where workshops have been

held, highlighting the unique challenges to and the ways in which each community strives to establish its safe routes programs.

 

According to the report, “Garfield presents a near textbook example of what can be accomplished with a dynamic local champion who has not only excellent connections to elected officials and city staff, but is fortunate enough to work with professionals who believe that childhood obesity is a serious problem that should be acted upon. The same is true of the schools.” The local champion mentioned, Darleen Reveille of the Garfield Health Department, has truly been a guiding force behind the program.

 

The purpose of ALRC’s City-SRTS program is to extend SRTS programs beyond those designed primarily for suburban schools. While many SRTS programs, such as International Walk to School Day (iWalk), are great, some programs cannot be easily adapted to all communities or to all schools. In many urban areas, a majority of kids may already walk to school. The City-SRTS program examines barriers to safe routes, such as crime and parental involvement, and other situations that might not be faced in suburban locations.

 

To view the current City-SRTS reports, go to: http://www.activelivingresources.org

/saferoutestoschool8.php

NJ SRTS Case Studies get National Attention

The National Center for Safe Routes to School offers a collection of short case studies highlighting programs and activities found throughout the United States. The New Jersey statewide program and Wharton Borough’s program are among those showcased. (See pages 101-104). Each case study tells the program’s unique story, including a short description of the targeted area, and underscores the issues faced while promoting pedestrian and bicycle safety, as well as traveling to and from school safely. See http://www.saferoutesinfo

.org/online_library/details.cfm?id=3989 for the complete document.

 

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership, a network of more than 300 nonprofit organizations, government agencies, schools, and professionals working together to advance the SRTS movement nationally, recently updated its information about SRTS in each state. These state SRTS program synopses document success stories as well as provide program contacts and grant application information. New Jersey’s program can be found at:

http://www.saferoutespartnership

.org/state/5043/newjersey

 

What Every Parent Should Know

Two resources are newly available from the Active Living Resource Center. “Bicycle Safety, What Every Parent Should Know” is a recently updated pamphlet aimed at dispelling common myths about bicycle riding, including “bicyclists should ride facing traffic” and “a child needs a bike to grow into.” It also offers advice on how to instill good riding skills in children.

 

A new pamphlet entitled “10 Really Good Reasons Exercise is Important for Your Child,” walks parents through reasons they can share with their children as to why exercise is so important.