Neighbors should be engaged early in the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) planning process. This provides an opportunity for SRTS coordinators to hear and address these concerns and increases the likelihood that neighbors will take action to make or keep routes safe. The impact of potential safe routes to school activities on neighbors should be assessed. For example, a remote drop-off area may be initiated to ease traffic congestion near the school. While it improves safety for pedestrians and bicyclists and gives those that live further away the chance to walk, it may also create traffic problems in new areas. Identifying and addressing these issues need to be part of the process.
Strategies to reach neighbors include:
For information on the types of messages that can be delivered using these strategies visit Key Message for Neighbors.