Safe Routes To School

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is an international movement--and federal program--that uses programs and infrastructure to encourage children to walk and bike to school.

Vision

Milwaukee is a city where more students and families will walk and bike to school because it is safe, convenient, and part of a child's healthy growth and development. The values of student health, safety, and encouraging walking and biking to school are integrated throughout the City and Milwaukee Public School (MPS) policies, programs, and projects.

The SRTS program seeks to achieve this vision by coordinating efforts led by the Department of Public Works, MPS, and Wisconsin Bike Fed. These agencies and other supporting agencies use a holistic set of strategies to create a safer, more convenient environment for children to walk and bike to school. 

Project Goals

SRTS Implementation Projects

The City of Milwaukee received a federal grant to create street improvements for 8 local schools experiencing significant safety concerns for children walking and biking to school. These projects will be putting the SRTS Strategic plan into action. 

SRTS Education & Encouragement Programs

If you would like to request bike and pedestrian education at your school, you can contact Michael Anderson at the Wisconsin Bike Fed. The Bike Fed has worked with Milwaukee Public Schools to offer bikeand pedestrian safety education and encouragement programs in Milwaukee-area schools since 2004.

SRTS Strategic Plan 

In June 2021, the City of Milwaukee adopted a strategic plan to coordinate Safe Routes to School efforts across agencies and organizations under a city- and district-wide program. The plan identifies policies, programs, and initiatives of Milwaukee Public Schools and various City of Milwaukee departments that can be modified to improve conditions for walking and biking to school. The plan also provide several short-term and long-term recommendations that City departments, MPS, and other organizations and community partners can take to achieve the vision and goals of Safe Routes to School programming in Milwaukee.