Walk, Bike, and Roll
Safe Routes to School
![Graphic of kid on a bike](https://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/PinHelmetGraphic.png)
Safe Routes to School is a national movement to make it easier and safer for students to walk, bike, and roll to school. We work with the Seattle Department of Transportation to improve safety around schools and to support students to walk, bike, and roll.
We’re hiring caring and safety minded individuals to safely cross students to and from school at various locations across the city.
SPS Transportation JobsThanks for celebrating Walk and Bike to School Month in May 2024!
Check out the photos below to see how schools across the district celebrated.
Why Walk, Bike, and Roll (wheelchair, scooter, skate, etc.)?
![Cartoon graphic of bikers and walkers arriving outside of school. A crossing guard helps students cross the street safely, speed humps help slow traffic, and a traffic garden in the background shows students practicing safety skills on the blacktop.](http://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/SafeRoutestoSchool_Version2-1024x576.png)
How many students are walking, biking, and rolling to school?
About 1/3 of Seattle Public School students walk or bike to school most days!
![pie chart illustrating 1/3 of students walk or bike](/wp-content/uploads/2024/02/WalkPieChart.webp)
Resources and Support
Contact the SPS Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator, Brooke Nelson brnelson1@seattleschools.org, for support with your programs, events, and routes.
Getting the Word Out to Your School
You know your school community best! But here are ideas to spread the word about your walking or biking activity.
- Students can make posters in a class or afterschool program and post around the school. If your school has a Green Team, they might want to be involved too.
- Staff can login to MySPS to access flyer templates for events throughout the year
![Flyer template for Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day](http://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/RubyBridgesFlyerImage.png)
- School leadership could put info in the school newsletter. They can also send text messages to families that are automatically translated into different languages through “Talking Points.” (limit 600 characters)
- If there’s a student newspaper, it could include info and/or spotlights of students who walk and bike to school.
- School PTSAs often have a Facebook page, webpage, and email lists to get the word out.
- Contact Brooke to present to your PTSA
- The Seattle Public Schools and Seattle Department of Transportation communications teams are happy to spotlight events and students in social media. Local media and neighborhood blogs are often willing to spotlight events too.
- Teachers can share with their classes. Physical Education teachers can be great people to ask!
- Write a message in sidewalk chalk outside the school or along a walking/biking route.
- School leadership can share in the morning announcements.
- Teachers and students can share at a school assembly (contact Brooke for skit ideas).
- Does your school have a reader board out front? Your school admin can put a message about your activity up there.
- And probably most effective is word of mouth!
![Sidewalk chalk that says "Meet here; Feb 15, Walk and bike to school; Free stuff"](http://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/03/WingLuke_Chalk-5-768x1024.jpg)
Taking the bus or light rail to school
![Two people getting on the Metro Bus Route 7.](http://www.seattleschools.org/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/metro.jpg)
Everyone 18 and under is free on all transit in the region (bus light rail, ferry, etc.). An Orca card is encouraged but not required.
Download this app to know when your bus is coming (in real time): OneBusAway
Use King County Trip Planner (webpage and app) to plan your bus route. Google Maps can also help find the best option.
Metro Flex is available in a few regions of the County. You can use an app or call a number for a Metro Flex van to pick you up and drop you off anywhere in the region – including school!
Find sample transit routes and tips on the ORCA card and public transit SPS webpage.
About Walking, Rolling, and Biking to School
Translations: Spanish, Simplified Chinese, Vietnamese, Somali, and Amharic