In 1969, approximately 50% of children walked or bicycled to school, including almost 90% of children living within one mile of school. Today, fewer than 15% of schoolchildren walk or bicycle to school. Walking or biking to school can be a convenient way for kids (and parents!) to be more active every day. Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs and policies make it easier and safer for children and their families to walk or bike to school by sponsoring walk-to-school days and organizing “walking school buses” in which adult volunteers supervise children as they walk to school as a group.

However, despite the many benefits of SRTS – reversing childhood obesity trends, reducing traffic congestion, improving air quality, enhancing neighborhood safety – some schools have been reluctant to support SRTS programs due to concerns about being sued if an injury or problem arises. But such fears are largely unwarranted. By acting responsibly and understanding liability issues, schools, nonprofits, and parent groups can help students reap the health and academic benefits of SRTS programs while minimizing any risks.

NPLAN just released two new resources for SRTS advocates and policy makers to use as they work to develop SRTS programs and policies in their communities: a fact sheet on liability in SRTS programs and a fact sheet on liability protection for volunteers.

Technical Assistance Available!
Would you like to learn more about liability and SRTS in your community? Curious about a concept discussed during the webinar? Contact NPLAN for technical assistance.

SRTS Webinar
In August 2010, NPLAN hosted a training on SRTS programs, policies and liability concerns for advocates and school officials. Presenters put liability concerns in perspective, explained how SRTS programs may leave schools with a lower risk of liability than existed prior to the program, and provided best practices for implementing SRTS programs and policies.

Webinar Agenda & Presentations
Presentations available for download:

Overview of Safe Routes to School and Liability Concerns*
Robert Ping, SRTS National Partnership

Overcoming the Fear of Liability: Legal Overview
Sara Zimmerman, NPLAN Staff Attorney

Best Practices of Safe Routes to School Programs
Robert Ping

Lessons from the Field
Wendi Kallins, Safe Routes to School (Marin County)

*Note: Unfortunately, Robert cannot provide access to the photos he used in his presentation due to release waivers signed by the people in the images.

You may access the webinar recording for free here. In order to view the recorded presentation, you will need to install the free ARF Player.