Growing Safe Routes to School (SRTS) in Duluth
June 12, 2025
Duluth Public Schools' Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has experienced remarkable growth and success over the past year, significantly enhancing pedestrian and bicycle safety for students across the district.
The momentum began in September with the hiring of a dedicated SRTS Coordinator, Andie Heil. Heil immediately engaged with all elementary and middle school principals to understand their unique community concerns, with a particular focus on school zone safety. This collaborative approach laid the groundwork for integrating SRTS programming effectively.
A major step forward in promoting pedestrian and bike safety education occurred in November when all general education PE teachers received certification in the "Walk!Bike!Fun!" curriculum. This training equips them to implement new Minnesota Department of Education standards, ensuring students receive vital safety instruction.
Participation in SRTS events has seen a notable increase. In February, three additional schools—Laura MacArthur, Piedmont, and Stowe—joined Congdon in celebrating Winter Walk to School Day for the first time. This positive trend continued into May, with Laura MacArthur and Piedmont expanding the reach of Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day events, alongside Congdon and Lester Park.
May also saw the successful return of two bike rodeos at Congdon and Myers-Wilkins, providing students with valuable bike safety skills. Piedmont's planned rodeo, despite a power outage, was unfortunately rained out, but demonstrated strong community readiness. The success of these events is a testament to the strong drive and participation from principals, staff, and PTA/PTO groups, whose push to integrate SRTS importance within their communities has been crucial for growth.
Looking ahead, the program is poised for even greater impact. In January 2025, the SRTS Coordinator secured a full-district planning grant for Duluth Public Schools, totaling over $260,000. This funding will support the development of comprehensive school- and district-specific SRTS plans, with data collection slated to begin in Fall 2025 and planning completion targeted for December 2026.
Adding to this exciting development, the Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) announced a $200,000 research study in partnership with Duluth SRTS. This innovative study will explore optimal strategies for implementing school zones that go beyond solely reducing speed limits, aiming to create truly pedestrian and bike-friendly environments. Duluth was selected for this study due to its unique demographic and geographical diversity, encompassing urban, suburban, and rural schools, both city and county territories, and experiencing all four seasons to the extremes.
With these significant awards, Duluth SRTS proudly boasts over $500,000 in funding for the next three years, ensuring continued progress in creating safer and more accessible routes for students to walk, bike, and roll to school.