MnDOT awards $8.2 million in Safe routes to School Grants
Nearly 180 schools around Minnesota will benefit from $8,234,000 in planning, programming and infrastructure grants that support MnDOT’s Safe Routes to School program.
The funding provides:
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Planning assistance grants for communities to convene a team, understand key issues, prioritize strategies and identify solutions that fit their local need.
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Boost grants to help enhance existing local programs. Past examples of this include funding for bike fleet with a trailer to teach children how to ride, or funding for bike parking.
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Infrastructure grants to fund projects that promote and encourage more students to walk or bicycle to school. Ways to make these routes safer (and more accessible) include adding sidewalks, trails, crosswalk markings, flashing beacons and other traffic control devices.
“Thousands of school children now have more opportunities to walk and bike to schools because of the Safe Routes to School program,” said Nancy Daubenberger, interim MnDOT commissioner. “More students walking and biking means less traffic on the road and near schools, improving safety and promoting healthier kids.”
These Safe Routes to School grants are funded with state and federal Safe Routes to School dollars. Historically, nearly 70 percent of these funds have supported work within Greater Minnesota communities.
Start planning – Bike to School Day is May 4
Thousands of students, families, community partners and elected officials will celebrate Bike to School Day on May 4. This national event encourages bicycling (or walking) to school. Students reap the health, community and academic benefits of a little bit of exercise before school while having fun riding bicycles with their peers. And after a long couple of years, it’s a great way to bring the fun back to school!
 Bike to School Day is May 4 - Register today!
Register your school early to receive stickers and posters from Minnesota Safe Routes to School to help make your event a success.
To our school staff teaching P.E. and other subjects—you can add these activities and resources to your classroom or distance learning curriculum. Assign students time to bike or walk or learn traffic safety by exploring their neighborhood's built environment. Use the poster contest, mileage tracker, bike bingo card, crossword and word search for your health and physical education classes to promote this lifelong activity.
To our parents – get your kids outside and use the mileage tracker or bike bingo card to keep kids focused and motivated. And when those pesky ”April showers” keep you inside, consider the poster contest, word search or crossword.
Free marketing materials are available to use at your school to make planning easier, including social media messages, posters and more.
Share your photos on MnSRTS facebook or by using the #MNBikeDay hashtag or send us a note at saferoutes.dot@state.mn.us.
Pedaling a bicycle can create some of childhood’s happiest moments. Minnesota Safe Routes to School’s seventh-annual Bike to School Day Poster Contest asks students, ”How does it feel to ride a bicycle?” This contest helps all students participate in Bike to School Day.
Teachers interested in the poster contest can download lesson plans to support instruction for their classrooms (grades K-3 lesson plan PDF or grades 4-8 lesson plan PDF).
Contest entries must be submitted by the end of the day May 20. Winners will be announced May 26.
Met Council’s Regional Solicitation (SRTS Eligible) open now!
The Metropolitan Council’s recently released 2022 Regional Solicitation includes up to $36 million for bicycle, pedestrian and SRTS projects. The Transportation Advisory Board will award funds later this year after technical experts from across the region rank and score the projects..
More information:
- An informational webinar is available online
- Project limits for SRTS are $250,000-$1 million
- Projects require a 20 percent local match
- Applications are due April 14
About $180 million in federal transportation funds is available for allocation in 2026 and 2027. This metro solicitation occurs every other year and includes a solicitation for:
- Bicycle and pedestrian facilities
- Multiuse trails
- Safe Routes to School infrastructure
This regional Met Council Solicitation is available for the following seven counties: Anoka, Carver, Dakota, Hennepin, Ramsey, Scott and Washington.
The 80 counties in Greater Minnesota may apply for Transportation Alternatives infrastructure funding in October.
SRTS in the news: Regional Bike Rack Bonanza
West Central Initiative has assisted communities with Safe Routes to School planning for more than a decade. This past year, they created a bicycle rack bonanza to increase bike parking for schools in their region using MnDOT’s SRTS Boost Funding.
“Over the years, our team has seen that bike parking is a frequent school need,” said Wayne Hurley, transportation planning director. “We partnered with school districts in our region to apply for a Safe Routes to School boost grant and received$20,000 to order custom bike racks at participating schools!”
Using two styles of bike racks – and allowing schools to choose their own colors and add their school logos – allows for regional identity and a sense of local pride. Providing attractive, inviting bike parking gives schools another tool for their Safe Routes to School efforts.
Ten communities benefited from 58 new bike racks in total. Several schools installed their back racks in fall 2021, with more planned for installation this spring.
Upcoming events:
April 7, 10-11 a.m. – MN SRTS Network Call
May 4 - Bike to School Day
Resources
Order free MN Bike Maps and MN Bicycle Handbooks for your organization’s events
Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum, bike fleet trailer request, and future training opportunities.
More about MnSRTS
Visit: www.mnsaferoutestoschool.org
Follow us on Facebook - facebook.com/MinnesotaSafeRoutestoSchool/
MnDOT invites and encourages participation by all. If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or other reasonable accommodation, or need documents in an alternative format (such as braille or large print), please email your request to Janet Miller at ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us or call 651-366-4720.
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