Safe Routes to School

Program
Our Safe Routes to School program helps kids and their families walk, bike, and roll to and from school and around their neighborhoods. We use infrastructure improvements and education to increase safety, reduce congestion, promote a healthy climate, and encourage physical activity.
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Featured content

A group of students in backpacks smiling at each other as they walk two by two on a sidewalk. They all have their hands in their pockets on a chilly, October morning.

About Safe Routes to School

Students and families use different, colorful modes to get to school, "Welcome back to school, Portland!"

2023 Back to School Resources

Four children and two adults on bikes in the street stopping to smile for the camera.

Sign up for Safe Routes to School emails

Children with umbrellas being lead through a crosswalk by an adult near a school.

SmartTrips to Kindergarten

Middle schools students and parents are shows walking and biking to campus. Text saying "Free Prizes!" and "Activity ideas + wellness tips for 6th graders!" appear in cartoon style bubbles around them.

SmartTrips to Middle School

An elementary-aged child wearing a backpack and holding a colorful cardboard cutout of a school bus with text that reads, "walking school bus."

How to start a walking school bus

Commissioner Hardesty Visits Bike Bus

How to start a bike bus

A group of students in backpacks smiling at each other as they walk two by two on a sidewalk. They all have their hands in their pockets on a chilly, October morning.

How to start a park-and-walk

A wrench standing upright entwined with a rose encompassed by a white hexagon. Title says Fixing Our Streets Your Dime at Work over a salmon pink background.

Fixing Our Streets and Safe Routes to School

A group of four young children on bicycles. They are stopped on the side of a street, wearing helmets, and smiling.

Traffic safety education programming

Dark green, PDX 311 white, call issues white text

Report a problem calling 311

Intersection on NE Alberta Street with crosswalks and people walking

Report non-urgent traffic safety concerns

Contact

PBOT Safe Routes to School

saferoutes@portlandoregon.gov
phone number311

Follow on Social Media

PBOTSafeRoutes
saferoutespdx

Related offices, programs, advisory groups, and projects

Walking, biking, transit

Walking, Biking, Transit, and Transportation Safety

Aerial view from Marquam Hill and OHSU, looking at the Portland Aerial tram moving down to the South Waterfront. Fall leaves, the Willamette River in the middle distance, Mt. Hood in the back.

Transportation

Vision Zero

Vision Zero: Eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries

News

As students return to class, PBOT reminds drivers to be careful, slow down and look out for kids

It's a great time for families to organize a walking school bus, bike bus, or carpool to reduce traffic and carbon pollution in your neighborhood

Press release

More news

Events

International Walk + Roll to School Day 2023

International Walk + Roll to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and rolling to school on the same day. This year, International Walk + Roll to School Day is Wednesday, October 4!

Community Event
Group photo of Creston School students and adults posing with bikes for 2022 Walk + Roll to School Day

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day

Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day gives children the chance to celebrate Ruby’s courage by walking to school and is the perfect opportunity to teach children about the civil rights movement and make connections to today’s collective efforts for change.

Community Event
White text on purple background, "Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day November 14," with a graphic of a young girl in a white dress and shoes walking with a book and ruler.
More events

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