As our nights grow long be sure to dress and equip appropriately: Remember "Bright & Tight"! See below for advice on being seen.
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Walking School Bus Application -
Last Call!
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We're excited about this third round of applications and encourage all interested schools to apply! The
Maine Walking School Bus (WSB) Program
-
a partnership of the Maine Center for Disease Control, the Bicycle Coalition of Maine and the Maine Department of Transportation - provides funding, program materials and technical assistance to launch
daily adult-supervised walk-to-school programs
at eligible schools.
Through a competitive application process,
the Maine WSB Program Team will be selecting up to three new schools with which to work to launch Walking School Bus programs in the spring of 2017
. This is the last opportunity to apply for funds under this grant.
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Fall Walk & Bike to School Events Engage Hundreds of Maine Students!
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In Maine this fall, 27 engaged schools and communities registered walk and bike to school events that involved hundreds of students, along with their parents, school staff and volunteers!
See the list of schools here
and check out our
Safe Routes to School Blog
for photos and stories from some of these events.
Please let us know if your school held a walk and/or bike to school event by completing
the registration form here
, and
send us
your photos and stories -
they are great inspiration for others!
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 Now that Daylight Saving Time is over, sunset is coming much earlier. These days the sun is dipping below the horizon around 4:30pm and this will inch earlier and earlier until late December. This means it will be dark by the time many people head home from school or work each day. Be Safe And Be Seen - Make yourself visible to drivers DURING ALL CONDITIONS, DAY OR NIGHT!
Most serious crashes involving cars and people walking or biking occur because the driver claims they did not see the bicyclist or walker.
Don't find yourself in this position! Wear bright colored clothing, reflective material is best, carry a flashlight when walking, and remember that Maine law requires at least a light in front and a reflector in the rear when bicycling after dark. The best way to make sure car drivers can see you is to have a red blinking light in back and a bright white light in front.
You wouldn't drive your car at night without your headlights on, so please don't do so on your bike! For tips on riding in the dark, please visit bikemaine.org/lights
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The Bikes for All Mainers Program, formerly the Bikes for New Mainers Program, is a partnership between the Bicycle Coalition of Maine, the Portland Gear Hub, and the MaineDOT. The program is designed to provide an opportunity for adults who do not have financial access to bikes, are undocumented or recent American immigrants, or live in communities under served by public transportation to
acquire basic bicycle mechanic skills, learn to bicycle safely on Maine roadways, volunteer in their communities, and overcome some of their transportation challenges.
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We're here to help you strategize, answer questions, and support your community as you make plans for walk and bike activities this fall!
The Maine Safe Routes to School Team
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| For More Information
Darcy Whittemore
Education Program Manager
Erik daSilva
Education Program Coordinator
Tel: 207-956-6539
Shannon Belt
Education & Outreach Coordinator (Greater Portland)
Patrick Adams
MaineDOT Bicycle and Pedestrian Program Manager
Tel: 207-624-3311
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Resources, Funding, & Timely Opportunities
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Upcoming Webinars
Health Impact in 5 Years: An In-Depth Look at Safe Routes to School
Mon Nov 7, 3pm
Changes to the National Center's Data System and an Update on Recent School Travel Trends
Thurs Nov 17, 2pm
Work While Walking: The What, Why and How of Walking Meetings
Thurs Nov 27, 2pm
Safe Routes to Healthy Food: overcoming the transportation barriers to nutritious foods.
Thurs Dec 1, 2pm
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What We're Reading
New study shows more children are walking to school - Key Trends in School Travel from 2007 through 2014
Leg Work: Bicycle and pedestrian friendly policies are good as far as they go, b
ut strong advocates are needed to make real changes.
All D.C. public school students will learn to ride a bike in second grade
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Teach your students to travel safely! The Maine SRTS Program offers FREE
bicycle & pedestrian safety education to schools, rec programs, and other youth organizations. The in-person training covers 8 key points for
young
pedestrians and bicycle drivers. Adult education is also available.
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Walk & Bike Brightly this Season!