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Massachusetts Safe Routes to School highlights Malden programs, grants and walking/bike safety work
Summary
A state Safe Routes outreach coordinator told the Malden School Committee about long-running local programs (walking school buses, crossing-guard recognition), competitive grants (bike racks) and a pending MassDOT infrastructure application for Ferryway; the group offered outreach and education support.
Tina Hein, outreach coordinator for Massachusetts Safe Routes to School, briefed the Malden School Committee on May 4 about the program's activities and resources in Malden.
Hein said Malden has participated since 2009 and that programming has reached most students through encouragement events (walk/bike-to-school days), crossing-guard appreciation efforts and DESE-approved pedestrian and bicycle education. She highlighted recent competitive grant wins (two Linden School bike racks and a bike-rack grant this year) and a pending MassDOT infrastructure application for Ferryway that was under consideration the morning of the meeting.
The presentation outlined the program framework of six E's (equity, encouragement, education, engagement, evaluation and engineering) and described technical assistance the state program provides: family travel surveys in multiple languages, mapping resources for walking groups, and training/education (including a newly updated e-bike safety module worked on with MassDOT). Committee members asked about expanding walking-school-bus participation in K-8 schools; Hein said she would follow up with administrators and PTO contacts to expand outreach. Members also praised recent mapping and survey work used to plan meet-up locations.
Why it matters: Safe Routes programming can reduce car traffic near schools, promote active transportation and support attendance through positive engagement. Malden's recent grant awards and a pending MassDOT infrastructure application could fund physical improvements and equipment such as bike racks.
Next steps: Mass Safe Routes will follow up with school administrators and PTO contacts, support grant-related celebrations and continue planning Salemwood walking-school-bus and Linden bike-safety activities.
