How the Safe Routes Initiative got Started
On the International level:  The term “Safe Routes to School” was developed due to a very successful initiative in Denmark in the 1970’s to reduce the number of accidents while walking/biking to school. It spread internationally to Europe, Australia, New Zealand, Canada and finally the United States.

In the United States: The National Center for Safe Routes to School Program (NCSRTS) was launched in 1997 in the Bronx, NY.  The National Department of Transportation (DOT) funded two pilot programs in 1998 – Arlington, MA & Marin County, CA ($50K each).  Within the next year many more grassroots programs were launched all over the country.  In 2005, Congress officially established a National Safe Routes to School Program.  They authorized $612M to fund these programs from 2005-09.  Each state receives funds in the form of grants from the Federal Government.

In the City of Roseville: The City of Roseville is one of many cities in California to receive one of those grants to be used in a 3 year non-infrastructure pilot program.  The grant funds have been awarded to the Dry Creek Elementary School District because of high enrollment and proven interest in this type of program.  The schools included in the pilot program are Coyote Ridge, Heritage Oak, Quail Glen Elementary Schools & Silverado Middle School.  The City of Roseville is hopeful that other schools in our area can utilize this website to help their schools benefit from the work and ideas that come out of the pilot programs in the Dry Creek Joint Elementary School District.