Oregon’s Safe Routes to School Program has received a $3 million grant through the state Department of Transportation. Seven schools in Eugene will receive  almost $500 thousand to improve the safety of student pedestrians and bicyclists.  Shane Rhodes is the Eugene 4-J Safe Routes to School Coordinator. Rhodes says the money will be used to provide crosswalks and other improvements to encourage students to walk and bike to school.  

Rhodes:  “By providing an infrastructure that shows that walking and biking is a great way to get to school, we get our kids active which gets them ready to learn once they get to school. It provides that physical activity that they really need to be healthy.”

 Rhodes says the safe route program has been a success at their pilot school, Roosevelt Middle. Over the last three years Roosevelt students have doubled their bike ridership.

Schools in Prineville and Sisters has also received funds through the ODOT grants.

Eugene Safe Routes to School: http://eugenesrts.org/