Fayetteville committee reviews Safe Routes to School survey showing most students arrive by car and discusses programs to increase walking and biking

Fayetteville — City staff presented baseline travel tallies and survey results for the Safe Routes to School program, showing most students arrive by car in the morning and prompting committee discussion about programs to increase walking and biking.

Dane told the committee the survey and student tallies showed morning arrival was dominated by car trips — "about 70 plus percent" — while walking and biking accounted for roughly 12% and buses about 11%. In afternoon patterns, Dane said, driving declines and walking and biking increase.

Committee members said the data show both challenges and opportunities. "If we're at 10% right now district wide and we want to get to 20% by a certain year, that's kind of a typical focus," one member said. Members proposed a mix of infrastructure, enforcement and encouragement: bike trains, crossing guards (even at signalized intersections), school‑based programming and volunteer 'watch' efforts to help parents feel safer letting children walk or bike.

Longer‑term questions included how to prioritize schools equitably and how school siting and consolidation influence travel patterns. Members emphasized starting young: building walking and biking habits in elementary school and supporting middle schools where uptake is often higher.

The committee did not adopt a formal numerical target in the transcript; staff indicated next steps will include technical advisory review and additional engagement with school leadership and the community.