Title: Policies for Pupils: Working with School Boards on Walking and Bicycling Policies
Track: Change
Format: 90 minute panel
Abstract: Engaging schools in walking and bicycling efforts can be difficult given competing education priorities and frequent staff and volunteer turn-over. Attendees will learn about strategies for influencing school boards and policy opportunities at the district level.
Presenters:
Presenter: Sara Zimmerman Safe Routes to School National Partnership
Co-Presenter: Diane Dohm ChangeLab Solutions
Co-Presenter: Bree Romero Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights
Co-Presenter: Leigh Ann Von Hagen Voorhees Transportation Center, Rutgers University
Policies for Pupils: Working with School Boards on Walking and Bicycling Policies-- Leigh Ann Von Hagen
1. Policies for Pupils
Working with School Boards on
Walking and Bicycling Policies
ProWalk/ProBike/ProPlace 2014
Leigh Ann Von Hagen, AICP/PP
NJ Safe Routes to School Resource Center
Alan M. Voorhees Transportation Center
2. Can I Bicycle to School?
A Review of School Bicycling Policies
in New Jersey
3. Current Practice in New Jersey
County Survey
•165 schools and 24 school districts surveyed in Middlesex County
•No districts-wide policies that outline walking procedures
•Typically, districts with 100% busing do not allow walking or biking
4. Deterrents to Bicycling to School
•Fear of liability
•Safety issues (traffic, no sidewalks, etc.)
•Grade/age minimums for walking and bicycling
•Lack of storage space at school for bicycles, coats and helmets
•Delayed dismissal for walkers and bikers until the buses and car riders leave
Source: Ahlport, Kathryn N., et. al. Barriers to and Facilitators of Walking and Bicycling to School: Formative Results From the Non-Motorized Travel Study. 2007.
5. Current Practice in New Jersey
Category
Total
Don't know - can't give out information
10
District Policy - permitted
7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions
33
District Policy - principal decides
32
No policy - permitted
36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions
10
No policy - not permitted
33
No policy - don't know
4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
6. Current Practice in New Jersey
Category
Total
Don't know - can't give out information
10
District Policy - permitted
7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions
33
District Policy - principal decides
32
No policy - permitted
36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions
10
No policy - not permitted
33
No policy - don't know
4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
7. Current Practice in New Jersey
Category
Total
Don't know - can't give out information
10
District Policy - permitted
7
District Policy - permitted with age restrictions
33
District Policy - principal decides
32
No policy - permitted
36
No policy - permitted with age restrictions
10
No policy - not permitted
33
No policy - don't know
4
Summary of School Responses: Bicycle Policy
8. The principal or building administrator must grant permission before students can ride.
“Because of the clear and present danger of accident in traffic inherent in bicycle riding, it shall be the policy of the Board to prohibit the use of bicycles by students to travel to and from those schools so listed by the principal.”
- Old Bridge Township School Board
9.
10. Can they do that?
Are schools or school districts allowed to ban bicycling and walking to school?
“A teacher or other person in authority over such pupil shall hold every pupil accountable for disorderly conduct in school and during recess and on the playgrounds of the school and on the way to and from school.”
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2
11. Can they do that?
Are schools or school districts allowed to ban bicycling and walking to school?
“A teacher or other person in authority over such pupil shall hold every pupil accountable for disorderly conduct in school and during recess and on the playgrounds of the school and on the way to and from school.”
N.J.S.A. 18A:25-2
15. Policy Survey Summary
Lack of coherence: little consistency in policies
Lack of procedure: schools informally allow or prohibit bicycling and/or walking
Lack of communication: confusing two-tiered jurisdiction over bicycling
Lack of agreement over safe navigability: no clear differences in the built environment around schools that allow bicycling and those that prohibit it.
20. Sustainable Jersey for Schools Actions
•Energy and Greenhouse Gas
•Health and Wellness
•Green Design
•Land Use and Transportation
•Leadership and Capacity Building
•Operations and Maintenance
•Waste Management
•Arts/Culture School
•Diversity and Equity
•Sustainability Curriculum/Student Learning
21. Roll Out October 2014
•Schools registered with the program will get special priority access and notification of incentives and grants.
•Schools will gain access to training, tools and expert guidance.
•Sustainable Jersey certified schools will align with municipal Sustainable Jersey actions.
22. Walk and Bike Friendly Schools
Adopt a Walk and Bike to School, Active Transportation or School Wellness Policy for your school district that encourages walking and bicycling to and from school.
Best Practices include:
•Bicycle Parking and Storage
•Remote Drop-off/Pick-up Locations
•Staggered Dismissal (allow walkers and bikers to be dismissed first)
•Expanding Transportation Supervisor duties to include walking and bicycling
•Safe Routes to Bus Stops
•Establishing a walking club for staff
•Rewarding staff who walk or bike to school
23. Steps
1. Build awareness and allies for policy adoption
2. Provide Administration and BOE sample policy
• Safe Routes to School District Policy Workbook
• NJ Walking to School Model Policy
• NJ Bicycling to School Model Policy
3. Policy adoption and distribution
24. New Jersey
Safe Routes to School Resource Center
Leigh Ann Von Hagen
Sean Meehan
Catherine Bull
Trish Sanchez
Shannon Sweeney
New Jersey SRTS Help Desk
srts@ejb.rutgers.edu
848-932-7901
saferoutesnj.org
