In 2015, the Pacific Northwest regional policy manager, Kari Schlosshauer, was invited to present information about Safe Routes to School to the (Oregon) Governor’s Transportation Vision Panel, a yearlong effort to develop a series of recommendations to the Governor to address transportation issues across all modes and regions of the state.
The Governor’s Transportation Vision includes Safe Routes to School
We’re pleased to report that much of the information we provided about Safe Routes to School has been included in the draft findings from the Bike, Pedestrian, Transit and Passenger Rail Subcommittee. This is great news for the future of a funded, expanded Safe Routes to School program that can reach every kid in Oregon.
Preliminary Subcommittee Findings include:
- Increase investment in Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs
- Increase the flexibility of K-12 student transportation services across the state
Hitting the road this winter with Regional Forums
Attend a forum near you (dates below) and provide input on the importance of Safe Routes to School in any future state transportation funding. Can’t attend? Add your comments via the Comment Form.
Key talking points:
- Support local flexibility of student transportation revenue:
- Redefine student transportation to ensure that communities are meeting the changing needs of students across the state.
- Increase flexibility and improve efficiency in how school districts are able to spend transportation revenue (e.g., transit district partnerships, safe routes to schools programs, etc.).
- Increase investment in Safe Routes to School programs to:
- Deliver proper traffic safety education to 100% of students graduating from elementary schools within four years.
- Expand availability of Safe Routes to School funding to include high schools by the year 2020.
- Transportation funding resources must include dedicated funding for bicycle and pedestrian facilities:
- A portion of new road funding should be dedicated to bicycle and pedestrian facilities, large enough to complete state and local systems within a reasonable period of time.
- A portion of state lottery funds should continue to be set aside for pedestrian and bicycle projects, consistent with or greater than the level from past investments in ConnectOregon.
The Governor’s Transportation Vision Panel will host a series of eleven regional forums across the state this winter. These two-hour forums will provide an opportunity to seek local input and solutions to the regional needs and priorities of Oregon’s transportation system.
Thurs., Jan. 7, 3:30-5:30pm, Keizer City Hall, Keizer
Wed., Jan. 13, 5:30-7:30pm, Ford Alumni Center, Eugene
Thurs., Jan. 14, 3:30–5:30pm, Redmond Public Works Training Room
Mon., Jan. 25, 9:15-11am, Grant County Regional Airport, John Day
Thurs., Jan. 28, 5–7pm, Linn Benton Community College, Albany
Fri., Feb. 12, 10am–12pm, Klamath Community College Campus, Klamath Falls
Mon., Mar. 7, 10am–12pm, Fort Dalles Readiness Center, The Dalles
Tues., Mar. 8, 9am–11am, Jackson County Public Works Auditorium, White City
Thurs. , Mar. 10, 1–3pm, Port of Tillamook Bay, Tillamook
Fri., Mar. 11, 10am–12pm, Coos County Annex, Coquille
Mon., Mar. 14, 5:30pm–7:30pm, Portland International Airport, Portland
At the forums, Vision Panel representatives will provide a brief overview of the Panel’s preliminary findings to date, and lead a conversation to elicit participants’ perspectives on how the transportation system can support their region’s economic needs and priorities. The Vision Panel will use regional forum participants input to refine their recommendations to the Governor on the future of Oregon’s transportation system.
