By Amalio Nieves, BPS Assistant Superintendent of Social Emotional Learning and Wellness and Jill Carter, Executive Director of the BPS Health and Wellness Department
We are encouraging all school leaders, teachers, administrators, students, and families to help spread the word about the speed limit change and the Safe Routes to School Boston efforts. This is important to us as a school district because just under a third (29%) of our K-8 students are walking, taking public transportation or biking to and from school. As part of the Safe Routes to School Boston movement, we are working together with city agencies to make our streets more walkable for everyone. Lowering the speed limits is one way to create safer travel.
Data show that when drivers are going 25 mph, drivers and pedestrians have more time to see each other and react. This small 5 mph decrease in speed means that many crashes can be avoided altogether. If a crash does happen, it’s less likely to cause serious injury or death.
You can help raise awareness.
Elementary through middle school buildings have received materials linked to Safe Routes to School Boston. Promotional efforts, such as Walk to School Day, help raise awareness. Legislative efforts, such as lowering the speed limit, support standards of behavior that will hopefully make our streets safer. By creating opportunities for students to travel to school by active means, we create healthier students and stronger learners.
The Centers for Disease and Control and Prevention grants allow the Health and Wellness Department to support several K-8 schools that have already identified preferred safe routes to schools for our students. Every step, large or small, takes us one step closer to a safer community. Learn more about Safe Routes to School and how you can get involved. Thank you for doing your part.
