Idaho Smart Growth Publishes Safe Routes to Schools Best Practices in Idaho!
Did you know that we are raising the first generation of kids with statistically lower life spans than their parents?(1) Why? One reason is that “about only one quarter of adolescents meet current recommendations for at least one hour of moderate intensity physical activity a day.” (2) The most significant loss is in routine activity. The solution goes beyond just “more time at the gym”- significant improvements can be achieved by increasing routine activity levels as well, doing things like walking or biking to school.
By focusing our attention on making it easier for kids to walk and bike to school safely, we can address both the obesity epidemic in Idaho and make sure our communities are great places to live. By using planning tools, we can make sure we build our communities the right way from the start, and by looking to other communities in Idaho, we can find creative inspiring solutions with an Idaho twist.
Idaho Smart Growth, through funding from the Idaho Department of Transportation and the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc., has completed a review of city policies relating to Safe Routes to Schools and published a guide on Safe Routes to Schools Best practices in Idaho. (3) Both are available at www.idahosmartgrowth.org or by calling 208-333-8066.
(1) (Mark Fenton presentation, Meridian, ID, 11-9-11)
(2) (Mark Fenton, citing Centers for Disease Control, Youth Risk Behavior Survey, 2004)
(3) These publications do not necessarily represent the views of the Blue Cross of Idaho Foundation for Health, Inc, Foundation staff, or its Board of Directors. |
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Safe Routes to School 