Since 2008, Safe Routes to School Tampa Bay has provided pedestrian and bicycle safety programs for over 35 participating schools in Tampa, Florida. The program has been highly successful with school participation, school district support, parent trainings, and support from transportation agencies county-wide. Staff created ways for a more sustainable “walking school bus” program for at-risk communities. A “walking school bus” is a parent led walking group to and from school.

Typically a walking group should have two adults for every six to eight students; each volunteer walking leader is trained before officially walking a student group to and from school. Staff focused on creating stronger community partnerships and building parent/volunteer participation and leadership.

Other program elements include:

• In-school pedestrian safety presentations
• Bicycle rodeos
• Presentations to the Hillsborough County Metropolitan Planning Organization
• “Walk and bike to school day” events
• Walkability assessments
• Social media and website management
• Quarterly newsletters
• Infrastructure recommendations
• Community workshops and
• Student travel tally/parent survey distribution and analysis.