Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a nationwide program that aims to significantly improve safety for students who walk and bike to school. The three main goals of the program are:

• To enable and encourage children, including those with disabilities, to walk and bike to school.
• To make biking and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation choice, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
• To plan and build projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution.

Montgomery County’s Safe Routes to School program focuses on two main areas to enhance safety:

• Physical Aspects: improve sidewalks, crosswalks, curb extensions and install traffic signs in the vicinity of schools.
• Education: Promote safety, enforce traffic rules, and encourage students to participate in the program.
  Learn more.
   

"Walking Wednesdays"

MCDOT celebrates “Walktober,” a monthlong series of activities and virtual webinars promoting the State’s official exercise: walking. As 

 

part of the statewide focus on walking, walkable communities and pedestrian safety, MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTA)  team is partnering with Montgomery County Fire and Rescue (MCFRS) and Montgomery County Public Schools (MCPS) in hosting “Walking Wednesdays” at meal site locations throughout the county.  Walking Wednesday’s is a part of the County’s Vision Zero initiative and Walktober Campaign.

Each Wednesday, SRTS’s Zeal Safety Zebra and MCFRS Sparky mascots and staff will greet students and distribute safety bags filled with giveaways and pedestrian safety materials.

Walking Wednesdays will be held from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at:
 

• Oct. 7: JoAnn Leleck Elementary School, 710 Beacon Road, Silver Spring.
• Oct. 14: South Lake Elementary School, 18201 Contour Road, Gaithersburg.
• Oct. 21: Summit Hall Elementary School, 101 West Deer Park Road, Gaithersburg.
• Oct. 28: Sargent Shriver Elementary School, 12518 Greenly Street, Silver Spring.

*Mask and social distance guidelines will be observed at all locations.

View the event flyer.
View the press release (English / Spanish)