Having trouble viewing this email? View it as a Web page.

Safe Routes to School

Bike and Roll to School Day is May 7! Register Today!

Whether big or small, National Walk, Bike and Roll to School Day  makes a meaningful difference by promoting the health and safety of students. These events are a fun and simple way for students and families to try walking, biking, or rolling to school—many are surprised by how quick and easy it can be!

How to get involved:

• Register your event – Sign up and we’ll send you a packet of free goodies, including stickers, spoke cards, and reflective zipper pulls
• Join the Yard Sign Design Contest
  Students in grades K–12 are invited to submit one original design by May 16, 2025, via Formstack. Winning artwork may be featured in future events
• Spread the word
  Use our ready-to-print flyers and promotional materials to inspire families to give walking or biking a try for their school commute.
• Bike to School Day Webinar
  Watch the Walk, Ride, and Roll Webinar Series: Gearing Up for a Safe & Successful Bike & Roll to School Day. Jenny Bordon, Minneapolis Public School’s Active Living Coordinator joins the conversation.

Bike to School Day is more than a one-time event. It can be a catalyst for lasting change. In 2021, 65% of Walk to School Day organizers reported that their events led to planned or completed policy or infrastructure improvements. Nearly 40% of communities used the day to raise awareness about road safety needs in their community.

Use this moment to build momentum. Bike to School Day is a great opportunity to engage local leaders and highlight safety priorities. It can inspire longer-term changes that make it easier and safer for kids to walk, bike, and roll every day.

Register Today - MnSRTS Meet-Up on July 25

MnSRTS will be hosting our annual free, one-day Meet-Up training on Friday July 25 from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. in St. Paul. This event is a great opportunity to connect with Safe Routes to School partners, share ideas, and gain new strategies to support walking, biking, and rolling in your community. Register here today.

Call for Proposals: We are seeking proposals for presentations and breakout sessions that highlight innovative programs, best practices, and successful strategies in Safe Routes to School. Deadline to submit is Friday, April 25, with notification of selection on Friday, May 9.

Bike+ Plan Government and Tribal Partner Webinars

The Office of Transit and Active Transportation is developing the Statewide Bicycle+ System Plan. This plan will develop vision, goals, and strategies for MnDOT’s role in supporting bicycling and bike-like modes statewide. Minnesota has a long and proud history as one of our country’s most bicycle friendly states. That is possible because of the local, regional, and statewide networks built by a variety of partners.

The first webinar will take place on Thursday, May 8from 11 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Partners can sign up here. Look for future announcements about webinars here or on the Bike+ plan project website.

Can’t make it? A recording of the webinar will be made available afterwards for those who are unable to attend.

Local partners and tribal nations will play a crucial role in the development of the Bike+ Plan. MnDOT is trying something a little new for the Bike+ Plan statewide planning cooperation and coordination process with our government partners. If you play a role in developing bicycle facilities at an MPO, RDO, County, City, or Tribal Nation you are invited to a series of Bike+ Plan Government and Tribal Partner Webinars.

At the MnDOT Bike+ Plan Government and Tribal Partner Webinars partners will be able to:

• Hear updates about the Bike+ Plan’s progress
• Learn what you can do to support the planning process
• Provide feedback directly to the Plan’s project management team
• Schedule an opportunity for a 1:1 follow with the project manager if needed

Not a government or tribal partner? The Bike+ Plan engagement team will be hitting the paths all over the state beginning in May to hear Minnesotans’ experiences and desires around bicycling and bike-like modes. Use the project website to keep updated with the engagement process.

Now Open - Safe Streets and Roads for All (SS4A) NOFO

The U.S. Department of Transportation has released the FY2025 Notice of Funding Opportunity (NOFO) for the SS4A program. This program supports regional, local, and Tribal efforts to prevent roadway deaths and serious injuries. More than $982 million is available.

Two Grant Types:

• Planning & Demonstration Grant Application: For developing or updating an Action Plan and conducting related demonstration activities.
• Implementation Grants Application: For carrying out projects aligned with an existing Action Plan; may also include planning/demonstration components.

How to Apply: Applications for the SS4A program are due by June 26, at 4 p.m. All submissions must be made through the Valid Eval online portal. For assistance with the platform, applicants can contact support at support@valideval.com

Resources: The U.S. Department of Transportation will host a series of informational webinars to guide applicants through the process. Details and schedules can be found on the SS4A Webinar Series page.

Upcoming Walk! Bike! Fun! Trainings Help us spread the joy of teaching children how to ride a bike. The Walk! Bike! Fun! curriculum meets Minnesota Department of Education standards for Physical Education classes. The educator training is free and sub-pay is available to reduce barriers for attending. Dates for upcoming trainings: April 21: Austin May 1: St. Paul May 5: Belgrade June 10: Hutchinson June 17: Bemidji July 15: St. Cloud Learn more about the Educator Training, reach out to info@bikemn.org for training registration, or view the full curriculum at walkbikefun.org. SRTS Office Hours: Have questions about the SRTS program? Looking to brainstorm ideas, get feedback, discuss challenges and solutions, or share success stories? These office hours are designed just for you to engage directly with our SRTS team. Weekly on Weekly on Tuesdays from noon to 1 p.m. Share Your SRTS Story The MnDOT SRTS team wants to highlight the incredible work you’re doing in your community! Your experience – both successes and lessons learned – are valuable in shaping the future of Safe Routes to School. We can’t wait to hear your voice and share your impact. Click here to express your interest, and our team will follow up. Upcoming events: May 7, 2025 – Bike and Roll to School Day   July 25, 2025– MnSRTS Meet-Up in St. Paul Oct. 1, 2025 – Walk and Roll to School Day Oct. 28- 30, 2025 – National SRTS Summit (Virtual) Feb. 4, 2026 – Winter Walk and Roll to School Day May 6, 2026 – Bike and Roll to School Day MN SRTS Network Call – first Thursday of the month from 10-11 a.m. 2025 MnSRTS Network Call Topic Schedule May 1 – Inclusion of SRTS with high school students June 5 – MnDOT Bike+ plan engagement activity July 25 – MnSRTS Meet-Up, St. Paul 7 – Back to School with SRTS and AT Safety Training Program 4 – Implementing a Trauma-Informed Approach in SRTS programming 2 – Grants! Grants! Grants! 6 – Developing and sustaining school partnership / sustaining SRTS strategies and programs 4 – Engineering and SRTS Share and learn with whose working on SRTS from across Minnesota. Please email saferoutes.dot@state.mn.us to join the Minnesota Safe Routes to School Network and received log in information. View past recordings and slides More about MnSRTS Visit: http://www.mnsaferoutestoschool.org Visit: https://www.dot.state.mn.us/saferoutes Contact Us: saferoutes.dot@state.mn.us

If you need an ASL, a foreign language interpreter, or documents in an alternative format please contact Janet Miller at 651-366-4720 (711 or 1-800-627-3529 for MN Relay). If you need any other reasonable accommodation to participate, please email your request to ADArequest.dot@state.mn.us.