Frederick County is tapping into $143,000 in Safe Routes to Schools money.
Some Frederick County public schools this year will get new crosswalks and sidewalks. Others will receive new $500 bike racks, thanks to a recently awarded federal grant.
By the start of the new school year in August, all 49 middle and elementary schools in Frederick County will also be able to give out walking and biking maps indicating safe intersections, the placement of crossing guards, bike lanes and traffic lights. The intention is to encourage walking and biking to schools across Frederick County.
Frederick County qualified for the grant in December. The system will use the money to promote safe walking programs throughout the system and start Safe Routes to School programs at seven county schools - Centerville, Hillcrest, Monocacy, Spring Ridge and Whittier elementary schools and Brunswick and Crestwood middle schools.
The schools were selected because they have the most walkers who are being driven to school, Bass said.
Starting in April, each of the seven schools will also hold bicycle rodeos for students and parents. The rodeos will take place after school and provide a fun way for students to learn about safe biking practices, Bass said.
Students can bring their bikes to the rodeos and have specialists determine if they are in safe condition – they can get their seats adjusted to an appropriate height, their tires pumped or their brakes checked.
"It is an event that promotes bicycle safety awareness in a fun way," Bass said.
Cathy Genove, assistant principal at Spring Ridge Elementary, said she believes the bike rodeos and the safe walking maps will help increase the number walkers and bikers at the school.
Last year, when the school was selected for the grant, Spring Ridge had 148 walkers, 10 bike riders and 111 students who lived within walking distance, but were driven to school.
"I really like the bicycle safety component," she said. "We have a lot of students who could ride a bike to school."
Very encouraging news. Maybe this will start to reverse the trend from walking/biking to school, and with it the rise in childhood obesity.
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