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Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Resources
WalkSmart-BikeSmart Vermont! Curriculum
This curriculum contains essential concepts and skills related to pedestrian and bicycle safety. Its goal is to promote healthy habits, prevent injuries and increase the number of children walking and biking safely.
The curriculum is divided into two sections: a pedestrian safety program for K-2 students and a bicycle safety program for students in grades 2-6. The lessons are designed to keep children actively engaged, utilize their own experience and encourage safe and healthy choices.
Each lesson features the following components: instructional time, objectives, materials, tips for preparation, activities, integration ideas. Supporting materials include activity sheets, overheads/handouts, pre-post surveys, parent/guardian letters and a certificate of participation.
The principal author of WalkSmart / BikeSmart Vermont! is JoEllen Tarallo-Falk, Ed.D.,Executive Director of the Center for Health and Learning. Alice Charkes, a bicycle safety consultant, and Jon Kaplan of the VT Agency of Transportation provided editorial assistance. Funding for the development of this curriculum came from the VT Agency of Transportation Safe Routes to school program. The in-field guides were developed by CHL, in collaboration with Local Motion of Burlington for use in the classroom and in field to aid the implementation of the lessons.
click to download the WalkSmart-BikeSmart Vermont! curriculum in PDF format.
click to download the curriculum supplement WalkSmart In-Field Guide in PDF format
click to download the curriculum supplement BikeSmart In-Field Guide in PDF format.
To order a spiral-bound copy, send an email request to info@healthandlearning.org.
BikeSmart Vermont! Curriculum
Teaching safe bicycling skills is one important way to support Vermont students in bicycling to school. In rural communities, bicycling is one significent way that children can extend their range beyond walking--whether it is to school, to a friend's house or for any other social or recreational activities. BikeSmart - On-Bike! is designed to teach students the skills they need to avoid typical childhood crash types.
The curriculum consists of six 40-minute lessons for Grades 4-8 Physical Education classes. Of these six lessons, four comprise the core of the curriculum and two are optional. It is recommended that BikeSmart - On-Bike! be taught to Grades 4 or 5 and again with more advanced concepts to Grades 6,7 or 8. BikeSmart - On-Bike! was developed by the Center for Health and Learning and funded by the Vermont Agency of Transportation, Safe Routes to School program. The in-field guide was developed by CHL, in collaboration with Local Motion of Burlington for use in the classroom and in field to aid the implementation of the lessons.
click to download the BikeSmart-OnBike Vermont! curriculum in PDF format.
click to download the BikeSmart-OnBike In-Field Guide in PDF format
To order a spiral-bound copy, send an email request to info@healthandlearning.org.
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Evaluations
Evaluation of the WalkSmart / BikeSmart Vermont! Curriculum Implementation in Vermont 2007-2009
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Regional Contacts
2006 Safe Routes to School Regional Contacts
2008 Safe Routes to School Regional Contacts
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Calendar Contest Documents and Materials
Cover Letter to School, Teacher or Parent
Art Award Certificate--Non Winner
Letter to a Non Winning School
Press Release Contest Announcement
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Link Here for Safe Routes Theme Songs
for Use in Your Classroom
San Francisco Bay Area musician Blane Lyon has produced two upbeat, hip and modern Safe Routes to School theme songs, which he has generously made available for use in schools worldwide through the Safe Routes to School National Partnership's web site.
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Videos for Kids
Ride Smart: It's Time to Start: Teen actors Elizabeth and Xander emphasize the importance of wearing a helmet (9.03 minutes).
Bike Safe, Bike Smart: Elizabeth and Xander give an overview of safe bicycling--you, your bike and the rules of the road (9.12 minutes).
Go to http://www.montpelierbikes.org/street-savvy-cyclist
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Recommended Reading
From A To Z By Bike
This book teaches children to ride bicycles safely and defensively, to wear helmets and to apply good judgment to potentially dangerous traffic situations. It is easy to read, ethnically inclusive and lots of fun. We consider the content most appropriate for upper elementary grades and most effective if integrated with classroom instruction. The cost for 100-249 copies is 90 cents each. Link here for more information.
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See US Department of Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood’s blog entry regarding the impact of active transportation (walking and bicycling) on the health of youth and adults here:
http://fastlane.dot.gov/2010/07/dot-doing-its-part-to-keep-kids-moving.html#more
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School Bicycling and Walking Policies Tip Sheet
Children across the US are back in school and many communities are seeing the traffic jams that result from parents driving their children to schools. To help encourage more walking and bicycling, the Safe Routes to School National Partnership and the National Center for Safe Routes to School have released a jointly-developed resource, School Bicycling and Walking Policies: Addressing Policies that Hinder and Implementing Policies that Help.
School policies that encourage and support bicycling and walking can substantially boost a Safe Routes to School program, both within individual schools and throughout the community. In contrast, a policy that discourages or prohibits bicycling and walking can stop a SRTS program in its tracks. This tip sheet provides simple steps explaining how to approach and overturn barrier policies that inhibit walking and/or biking to school and how to encourage supportive policies.
To see the tip sheet, go to www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/collateral/barrier_policy_tip_sheet.pdf
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Walking and Bicycling in the VT PK-12 Physical Ed Grade Expectations
Vermont Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Educator Competencies
VT Pedestrian and Bicycle Safety Educator Roles & Responsibilities
2009 Helmet Order Form
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WalkSmart / BikeSmart Vermont! E-Newsletters from CHL
June 2008
August 2008
November 2008
March 2009
March 2010
September 2010
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Participation Record
Vermont instructors are asked to use this tool, which can also be found in the curriculum, to record their implementation data and report it to the Center for Health & Learning.
SRTS Safety Educator Contacts Form
Team leaders are asked to keep Center for Health & Learning informed of the names and roles of safety educators in their schools.
Pedestrian and Bike Safety Newsletter Inserts
Use these write-ups to promote walking and bicycling safety in your school. These newsletter inserts are FREE and have been made available with funding from the Vermont Agency of Transportation Safe Routes to School Program.
Help Start a Safe Routes to School Program at Our School (Word) 
Walking to School is Fun and Safe
Walking/Bicycling to School is Fun and Safe (Word)
Help Start a Park and Walk Program for Our School (Word)
Safe Routes to School Programs (Word)
Putney Central School Establishes Safe Routes to School Program (Word)
Pedestrian Safety (Word)
Bicycle Safety Education Prevents Accidents (Word)
Bicycle Helmet Fit Checklist (Word)
Tips for Adults to Get Kids to Wear Bike Helmets (Word)
ABC Quick-Check (Word)
Tips for Bicycle Safety (Word)
Helmet Safety Check
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Vermont Laws Pertaining to Bicyclists and Pedestrians
www.vtbikeped.org/resources/VTBikePedLaws.pdf
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Learn More About Implementing Safe Routes to School in Low Income Communities
The Safe Routes to School National Partnership has issued "Implementing Safe Routes to School in Low-Income Schools and Communities: A Resource Guide for Volunteers and Professionals." This new publication focuses on the challenges and circumstances unique to low-income communities and highlights a number of Safe Routes to School promising practices from around the country. Its goal is to provide parents, nonprofit leaders, school personnel and local government officials with creative and effective solutions to make it safer for more children to walk and bicycle to and from school in low-income communities. The publication and additional information is available for download at: http://www.saferoutespartnership.org/lowincomeguide.
Involving Students with Disabilities in Safe Routes to School
In June, the National Center released a new resource about involving students with disabilities in SRTS programs. This resource is intended to help SRTS organizers include and accommodate children with disabilities in SRTS. It discusses practical strategies for involving students with disabilities in SRTS, and provides examples of schools that have done so effectively. The resource can be accessed at http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/collateral/Involving_students_with_disability_web.pdf.
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Youth Risk Behavior Survey Data Brief on Bicycle Helmet Use
Three-quarters of students in grades 8-12 rode bicycles in the past 12 months. However, 63^%--over 17,000 students--reported rarely or never wearing helmets. Find out more here.
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LINKS TO PEDESTRIAN AND BICYCLE SAFETY WEB SITES
PACE: Promoting Active Children Everywhere
Paul Staso of Missoula, MT will be running a 500-mile course through Germany between March 8 and March 30. P.A.C.E.allows school children located around the globe to virtually run/walk with Paul while he's on the road, adding up mileage in teams at school. This is a great opportunity for schools to sign up and use it as an encouragement and education activity. There are already almost 1500 students in Montana and over 5000 students worldwide signed up to trek with Paul.
http://www.pacetrek.com/pace_trek_2010.htm
National Center for Safe Routes to School
The National Center for Safe Routes to School (of the University
of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center) maintains a comprehensive web site of resources related to bicycle and pedestrian safety. This web site includes: The Maryland Pedestrian Bicycle Safety Education Program, a comprehensive set of lessons for K-5 available for download; a chance to order a free DVD of Step to Safety with ASIMO; tips on getting started with Walk to School events; event ideas; and many other resources.
Free Online Training for Local Safe Routes to School Programs
The National Center for Safe Routes to School has released a free, Web-based version of its Skills for Local Safe Routes to School Program Development training. The training focuses on key steps to comprehensive Safe Routes to School planning, specifically addressing process issues critical to creating a solid framework on which to build a successful program.
The Web-based version of this training allows the user to access and view the training modules at any time. To create an account and access the training, please visit:
http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/training/local_program_skills/index.cfm
Involving Law Enforcement in SRTS
Bicycle Helmet Safety Institute: www.bhsi.org
From this site, order your fantastic and FREE Bicycle Safety Tool Kit, complete with a CD that contains manuals, lesson plans and a bicycle rodeo guide. Also included is a consumer’s guide to buying helmets and how to fit them properly. This is Great info for any group hosting a bicycle safety event.
Safety Routes to School Guide
This guide provides detailed instructions on how to incorporate pedestrian safety lessons into the classroom and how to organize programs that encourage walking and biking to school. This guide also gives perfect examples of how to improve school safety at drop off and pick up time.
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
This site provides a guide to forming a “safe routes to school task force”. It includes ideas for assessment, event planning and programming. Includes:
Safe Routes to School Resource Directory
(Walking School Bus, Teaching Children, Videos, Books, Web Sites for Children, Web Sites for Teachers, CD-ROMS)
Bicycling Life
This page will provide you with every tip you need to know about your bike. It also has deluxe materials for organizing a bicycle rodeo. A bicycle rodeo is a fun safety clinic that includes student and parent participation. The purpose of this event is to educate parent and children about the safety aspects of riding on the streets.
Vermont Bicycle and Pedestrian Coalition
From this site you can locate a trained “Bike Smart” instructor who can visit your school for a presentation on bicycle safety. Resources for purchasing low cost helmets, applying for grants, taking instructor trainings and obtaining educational materials are all available from this site. A free Bicycle Safety Fair Prop Kit is also available to borrow; a list of tool kit providers as well as a Safety Fair Manual is provided on this site.
Prop Kit Contents
List of Additional Items for Your Safety Fair
Contacting a Host Near You and reserving a Kit
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin
This is another comprehensive site. The Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin believes that a successful Safe Routes to School program integrates education of children, parents, teachers, elected officials, planners, engineers, and other community members; encouragement of children to bike and walk, enforcement of traffic laws, and appropriate engineering of transportation facilities. All four approaches are integral to a complete program. A successful Safe Routes to School program also includes active participation by many sectors, including the municipality, the schools, the neighborhoods, the parents, and the kids.
National Center for SafeRoutes to School: www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/education_tip-sheets.cfm
Click here to download tip sheets for educating parents, teachers and children safe ways to walk and bike to school.
Federal Highway Administration Pedestrian & Bicycle Information Center
Since its inception in 1999, PBIC’s mission has been to improve the quality of life in communities through the increase of safe walking and bicycling as a viable means of transportation and physical activity. To support this mission, the PBIC: 1) develops, synthesizes, promotes and distributes accurate and current bicycling and walking information; 2) provides expert technical assistance to various audiences to ensure that citizens and professionals have access to the best available information; 3) generates a network of informed individuals and organizations who can increase the exposure of ped/bike issues to the general public.
ALRC Offers New Kids & Activity Brochure as Artwork
The Active Living Resource Center (ALRC) has announced the availability of it's newest brochure to be offered as artwork. Titled "10 Really Good Reasons Exercise Is Important For Your Child," the brochure is available FREE for local organizations to print and distribute locally. It is also being offered in both English and Spanish editions.
"With the success of the Bicycle Safety brochure we offered as artwork in English and Spanish, we were eager to make additional brochures available," said author and illustrator John Williams. "We've gotten a fantastic response to the "Bicycle Safety: What Every Parent Should Know" brochure, with more than 200,000 copies being printed and distributed in communities across the country."
Williams noted that the new 'kids and activity' brochure can also be customized with a logo and local contact information. "This has been a popular option for those requesting the artwork," said Williams. "It provides a local organization with the chance to get their name out in front of a target audience."
The development of both of the brochures available as artwork sets was supported by a grant from the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation. You can request the new 'kids and activity' brochure at: http://www.activelivingresources.org/links5.php
The "Bicycle Safety: What Every Parent Should Know" brochure artwork is still available in both English and Spanish versions at:
http://www.activelivingresources.org/links4.php
Federal Highway Administration Pedestrian & Bicycle Safety Program
The Bicycle & Pedestrian Program of the Federal Highway Administration's Office of Human and Natural Environment, promotes bicycle and pedestrian transportation accessibility, use, and safety.
League of American Bicyclists
For information on Safe Routes to School
America Walks
America Walks is a national coalition of local advocacy groups dedicated to promoting walkable communities. Its members are autonomous grassroots organizations from across the country, each working to improve conditions for walking in their area. The mission of America Walks is to foster the development of community-based pedestrian advocacy groups, to educate the public about the benefits of walking, and, when appropriate, to act as a collective voice for walking advocates. To carry out its mission, America Walks provides a support network for local pedestrian advocacy groups. They offer advice on how to get started and how to be effective with public officials and engineering and design professionals.
Which Helmet for Which Activity?
Link here for a handy and comprehensive chart from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission that answers the question: which helmet for which activity?
Safe Kids
Safe Kids Worldwide promotes changes in attitudes, behaviors, laws and the environment to prevent accidental injury to children. In the United States,it has contributed to a 45 percent reduction in the child fatality rate from accidental injury – saving an estimated 38,000 children’s lives.
School Bus Safety Web
Safety Games, Tips and Videos from the North Carolina School Bus Safety web site.
Safe Routes Nebraska
From the Nebraska Department of Roads, this web site includes K-8 in-class activities
based on the State Department of Education Standards to make it easier for teachers to implement. In addition to the K-8 lesson plans, there is an in-class Jeopardy game created in MS PowerPoint.
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