$25,000 grant to improve bike safety education for Oregon youth
Grant awarded for hands-on bike safety education in at least seven low-income rural schools in Douglas County.
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March 28, 2025
For more information, contact Mindy McCartt, ODOT Communications, 503-507-6045
SALEM – Oregon is one of just three states receiving a grant aimed at making biking safer for young people in underserved communities.
"Ensuring our youngest road users have safe, accessible transportation options is a top priority," said Heidi Manlove, manager of Oregon’s Safe Routes to School Education Program at ODOT. "With this grant, we can equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate their communities safely on bikes."
The $25,000 grant comes from the Governors Highway Safety Association and the National Road Safety Foundation.
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In partnership with Thrive Umpqua’s Safe Routes to School program, ODOT will use the funds to purchase a fleet of 40 bicycles, along with helmets and safety materials. These resources will support hands-on bike safety education for students in at least seven low-income rural schools, helping young riders gain confidence while learning essential road safety skills.
The goal of the program is to create safer walking, biking, and scooting options for young people while fostering a culture of active transportation in Oregon’s rural communities. By providing the necessary equipment and instruction, the grant will help ensure that children can safely and confidently use biking as a transportation option.
"By working with local partners and schools, we’re creating opportunities for students to be active and safe in their daily lives," Manlove added. "We’re excited to see the impact this project will have in these communities."
Similar grants have been awarded to Missouri and Washington, with all three states working toward safer transportation options for youth nationwide.
For more information, visit Safe Routes to School Program and Governors Highway Safety Association webpage.
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About Governors Highway Safety Association
GHSA is a nonprofit association representing the highway safety offices of states, territories, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico. Visit ghsa.org for more information or follow us on Facebook and X.
About The National Road Safety Foundation
NRSF is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to reducing deaths and injuries on the nation’s roads by promoting safe driving awareness and lifelong education. For more information or to download free programs, visit www.nrsf.org.
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