Dear parents, caregivers, educators, and community,
Back-to-school season is here—and we're here to help. From safety tips and inspiring stories to events, grants, and helpful resources, we have what you need to start the school year strong.
Follow us on Instagram and Facebook this month for fresh content to make your return to campus safer, smoother, and a little more fun. Already getting ready and want to show it off? Tag us in your stories! We love celebrating your successes with the Portland community.
With gratitude,
Safe Routes to School Team | Brittany, Gui, Janis, Jeri, Josh, and Meaghan
In this newsletter
- Get ready to roll into the school year
- Community spotlight: Rick Delhommer and Vestal Elementary School's bike bus
- Exploring Portland by bus and MAX
- New speed bumps make SE Alder Street safer for students
- Free events
- Portland Sunday Parkways debuts brand-new downtown route September 14
- Watch: Oregon Safe Routes to School high school video contest winner
- Grant opportunities
- Personal safety community resources
- What we're reading
Get ready to roll into the school year
Have you thought about how you are traveling to school? The decisions we make every day have a collective impact on our health, community, and planet. Our actions matter. Walking, rolling, and riding around the city are great ways to care for each other and our climate. It doesn't take much to shape a better future for everyone and together, we can shape a better future for Portland.
- Walk, bike, roll, ride transit, or carpool whenever you can to help reduce traffic around your school and promote clean air. Find out if your school has a bike bus!
- If your family is getting to school by car, remember to drive carefully and look for kids crossing the street.
- No matter how your family gets to school, be sure to obey all traffic laws and road signs.
- Be aware of your surroundings and take it slow as you travel to school.
Continue reading to learn about all the resources Safe Routes to School is offering to students and families to plan their trip to school and get there safely.
Try your route before school starts
Safe Routes to School suggests that students and families try their route before school starts—especially if you're going to a new location. Try different routes and compare what feels best and most comfortable. Walking, biking, taking transit, and carpooling all help increase safety and reduce traffic and greenhouse gas emissions around schools.
If you haven't already planned it all out, check out these resources:
- Bike and walk maps
- Portland walking guide
- Tools for planning your transit route
- What to know for your first transit trip
And you've heard it before: practice makes perfect. While we know perfect is unrealistic, we can guarantee that practice will make your back-to-school commute a smoother and enjoyable experience for everyone.
More tips and resources
- Plan your active transportation trip with our printable Getting There guide
- Have fun exploring your neighborhood with our City Explorer activities
- Teach your child how to fit their helmet
- Make sure you know how to bring your bike on public transit
- Learn about bike theft and how to prevent it
- Learn how to respond, prevent, and intervene in instances of harassment
Learn more about Safe Routes to School Back to School resources
Community spotlight: Rick Delhommer and Vestal Elementary School's bike bus
We're interested in sharing stories about the amazing work that everyday folks in Portland do to make our community better. Rick Delhommer is one of those people helping kids and their families safely walk, bike, and roll to and from school!
Rick is one of several bike bus leaders at Vestal Elementary School in the Montavilla neighborhood. While we're highlighting just one person in this feature, Rick made it clear that the success of the bike bus belongs to the whole neighborhood. We love to hear that!
Continue reading to learn more about Rick.
Question: Why did you get started helping kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school?
Answer: I've always loved cycling and dreamed of riding with my daughter to school. When she started kindergarten, I asked a few of our neighbors whose kids also attend Vestal Elementary School if they wanted to ride together—and they said yes! At first, it just felt like we were riding our own kids to school. But as the year went on, other families noticed and asked if their kids could ride with us. That's how our bike bus was born!
Q: What is one bit of wisdom for people who want to do something like what you're doing?
A: A bike bus (or walking school bus!) doesn't need a minimum number of people. If you're consistent, you have a bike bus! A great way to start is by riding to school with your kid or a neighbor that you're close with. You don't need much more than that.
Q: What is something you've learned while doing this work?
A: I've learned that, whether we're young or old, we all have a desire for community. At first, I didn't think anyone would notice our bike bus. But over time, neighbors I'd never met stopped me saying how much they loved seeing us ride by. Some would watch with their morning coffee; others used us as an alarm clock to stay on schedule. I was surprised and inspired by how much the bike bus became part of the neighborhood—not just for riders, but for everyone who saw us each morning.
Q: What is something you’ve grappled with while doing this work?
A: The responsibility of getting everyone's kids to school safety is huge. I may be the "leader," but our bike bus truly operates like a village. So many parents and neighbors help make it. The success of the bike bus really belongs to the entire neighborhood.
Q: What keeps you motivated?
A: Two things keep me motivated, especially when the weather is bad. First, the kids genuinely enjoy riding in the bike bus! Whether they're catching up with friends, playing games, or hopping curbs, they almost always seem to be having fun. Second, I love seeing them grow over the year. They become stronger cyclists and learn how to ride safely in the street, but they also grow as leaders and community members. I've seen kids help each other after a fall and slow down so we can ride safely as a group. Their compassion and maturity are truly inspiring.
Q: Tell us a little bit about yourself!
A: I've lived in Portland's Montavilla neighborhood for about six years. Cycling is a big part of my life whether I'm riding bikes or working on them. When I'm not working on my bikes or chasing my daughter around, I enjoy knitting, jigsaw puzzles, reading, and punk rock.
Do you know someone who is helping kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school? Tell us about them by filling out this community spotlight nomination form!
Nominate someone in your community
Exploring Portland by bus and MAX
Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) Safe Routes to School recently partnered with incoming ninth grade students in Elevate Oregon's summer program to help them navigate Portland’s public transit system. As part of the program, students spent a class period learning about transit safety through Safe Routes to School's Transportation Academy curriculum. They also heard from guest speaker, Jon Coney, TriMet’s High School Pass Coordinator, who shared information about TriMet and the history of transit in Portland.
Later in the week, students went on a transit field trip, riding TriMet buses and MAX light rail from Parkrose High School to a destination of their choosing. This round-trip outing gave students hands-on experience with what they learned in class and included a transit bingo activity to keep them engaged along the way.
Learn more about our Transportation Academy program
New speed bumps make SE Alder Street safer for students
Earlier this year, the Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) added speed bumps to SE Alder Street between 155th and 162nd avenues in the Centennial neighborhood. Speed bumps are a low-cost tool PBOT uses to slow down drivers on neighborhood streets.
Many students use this street to reach a path that connects to the athletic fields on the neighboring campuses of Centennial School District's Parklane Elementary and Oliver Middle schools. This project was funded by the city's General Fund through Safe Routes to School, with money set aside for traffic calming in East Portland.
This project is part of a larger Safe Routes to School effort to calm traffic in Portland for students traveling to and from school.
Informed by the community
Together with the local school community, PBOT identified the intersection as an important connection for students and families travelling to and from Parklane Elementary and Oliver Middle schools during a Safe Routes to School outreach process.
Middle school “chaperones" lead elementary walking school buses
After PBOT completed the traffic calming project on SE Alder Street, students at Parklane Elementary and Oliver Middle schools teamed up for a successful student-led walk-to-school day. On June 5, students from the middle school's FLY U program—a year-round initiative focusing on basketball skills, health, fitness, and school engagement—volunteered to lead walking school buses for the elementary school students.
To prepare for this leadership role, PBOT Safe Routes to School led a pedestrian safety education lesson for the middle school “chaperones." Beyond learning proper safety and etiquette, students practiced how to share this knowledge while managing younger students.
The event featured three routes and saw nearly 20 volunteers and participants, with Centennial School District’s Safe Routes to School Coordinator Ian Rees on-hand to distribute incentives such as pencils and stickers. Both schools are now looking for ways to expand the program, as well as exploring other partnerships to encourage students to use active transportation safely.
Learn more about the Traffic Calming: SE Alder Street from 155th to 162nd Avenues Project
Free events
- Get There Brentwood-Darlington - Brunch and Greenways Ride: Saturday, August 9 from 9 to 11 a.m. at Brentwood Darlington Community Center (7211 SE 62nd Ave.)
- Basic Bike Maintenance Workshop: Wednesday, August 13 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Midland Library (805 SE 122nd Ave.)
- New to Portland Ride: St. Johns & Portsmouth: Wednesday, August 20 from 5:30 to 7:30 p.m. at Portsmouth Park (N Princeton Street and Stanford Avenue)
Learn more about free PBOT bike events
Summer Free For All
Portland Parks & Recreation's Summer Free For All builds community through free, inclusive, and family-friendly activities that celebrate Portland's diverse cultures and local artists.
Free Lunch + Play
Play for days at Free Lunch + Play, where kids come to share a meal and have fun in the sun! Portland Public Schools and Centennial, Parkrose, and David Douglas school districts provide meals Monday through Friday from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Cultural events
Come down to the park and experience free movies, concerts, festivals, and special events, including:
- Washington Park Summer Festival: Saturday, August 9 and Sunday, August 10 starting at 6 p.m. at Washington Park Amphitheater (410 SW Kingston Ave.)
- The Kidz Outside Festival: Saturday, August 23 starting at 6:30 p.m. at George Park (N Burr Avenue and Fessenden Street)
Mobile Lunch + Play
The Mobile Lunch + Play program travels to apartment complexes in East Portland to provide free meals and recreation activities to kids. The program is held at Eastgate Station Apartments (100 NE 120th Ave.) and Vine Maple Apartments (177 SE 146th Ave.)
Learn more about Summer Free For All
Bike Summer (Pedalpalooza)
- Sellwood Bike Bus to the Shack: Friday, August 8 at 9:45 a.m. at Llewellyn Elementary School (6301 SE 14th Ave.)
- Princess Ride: Saturday, August 9 at 10:30 a.m. at Kʰunamokwst Park (5200 NE Alberta St.)
- Splish, Splash It's a Wet, Wet Portland Ride: Sunday, August 10 from 1 to 4 p.m. at Jamison Square (NW Johnson Street and 10th Avenue)
- Loud N Little: Saturday, August 16 at 6 p.m. at Sewallcrest Park (SE 31st Avenue and Market Street)
- Kidical Mass - Ice Cream for Back-to-School: Sunday, August 24 from 2 to 3:30 p.m. at Irving Park Playground (3149 NE 9th Ave.)
- NoPo Splash Pad Pedal: Saturday, August 30 from 2 to 4 p.m. at McCoy Park Splash Pad (N Newman Avenue and Trenton Street)
Learn more about Bike Summer (Pedalpalooza)
Portland Sunday Parkways debuts brand-new downtown route September 14
Mark your calendars for an epic Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways event, presented by Kaiser Permanente, on September 14! The Portland Bureau of Transportation (PBOT) will create a 2.3-mile block party in the heart of the city, showcasing SW Broadway and SW Park Avenue between Oak and Harrison Streets. Park your bike and walk as you explore downtown businesses, parks, and cultural destinations along the way.
Make a weekend of it and bring Sunday Parkways to your front door! Visitors from across Oregon and the metro area are encouraged to book a hotel room downtown September 12-14 as part of Portland Staycation Weekend, sponsored by Travel Portland in partnership with Sunday Parkways. Be a tourist in your city and explore new places and spaces or visit your tried-and-true favorites in the heart of the city. Enjoy discounts and special packages at downtown hotels, restaurants, and retailers all weekend long.
Learn more about Downtown Portland Sunday Parkways
Watch: Oregon Safe Routes to School high school video contest winner
Congrats to Ian Barozzi, from Cleveland High School, for winning the Oregon Safe Routes to School high school video contest! In this contest, students were encouraged to share what is unique on their route to school.
Watch Ian Barozzi’s winning video from Cleveland High School
Grant opportunities
Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini-Grant
Apply by Friday, August 22
Interested in applying for a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day mini-grant ($500 and $1,000)? Or just looking for new ideas and inspirations? Join Safe Routes Partnership for a webinar all about celebrating Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on Wednesday, August 13 from 12 to 1 p.m. The webinar will share activities and best practices from last year’s celebrations and details about the mini-grant program.
Apply for a Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day Mini Grant
Metro Regional Travel Options Small Grant
Apply by Monday, September 15
The Metro Regional Travel Options (RTO) Small Grants program is comprised of technical assistance and small awards ($500-$5,000) intended to fund specific, one-time purchases of materials and services to support events, education, and outreach activities that support travel options use.
Apply for a Meto Regional Travel Options Small Grant
Metro Community Placemaking Grant
Apply by Friday, October 3
The Metro Community Placemaking grants program supports community-led, equity-centered, arts and culture efforts that strengthen people's connections to each other and places they care about. Applications for the upcoming grant cycle will be accepted Friday, August 15 through Friday, October 3. Metro will award grants ranging from $5,000 to $15,000.
Apply for a Metro Community Placemaking Grant
Personal safety community resources
We want to help create a transportation system that allows all people to feel safe getting where they need to go. We put together free, accessible personal safety resources for community members, including how to report a non-urgent traffic safety concern, report bias and hate, participate in a self-defense workshop, and more.
Learn more about personal safety community resources
What we're reading
- How bike safety training helps kids and communities thrive (Boise State Public Radio)
- A classic childhood pastime is fading (The Atlantic)
- Does traveling to school before sunrise affect whether elementary school students walk or bike? (Transport Policy)
- Sidewalk murals encourage students to walk or bike to school—and street upgrades make it safer to do so. (Monterey County Now)
- With social prescribing, hanging out, movement and arts are doctor's order (NPR)
- Ready to start driving? Not so fast, new laws say. (USA Today)
- Why did cars get so hard to see out of? (Bloomberg CityLab)
Parts of this document were drafted with the support of ChatGPT. The content was edited and fact-checked by city staff.