La Crosse updates Safe Routes to School Plan
LA CROSSE, Wis. (WKBT) — Nationally, walking and biking to school has declined dramatically. From nearly 50% of K-8th grade students in the 1960s to only 11% as of 2017.
In 2007 the City of La Crosse completed many projects and activities as a part of a Safe Routes to School Plan. But the city recognized a lot has changed since 2007, so they hired a consultant to create an updated Safe Routes to School Plan.
The goal is to ensure kid’s safety when walking or biking to school and get them interested in wanting to do so.
“Kids need an hour of physical activity a day, and walking or biking to and from school is a great way to get that physical activity. The problem is parents don’t feel it is safe right now for kids to walk to school,” said Safe Routes to School Project Planer, Sonia Haekel. “So, we’re really looking to pin-point where some infrastructure can be put in place, and then we can really make an effort to promote walking and biking to school.”
The new Safe Routes to School Plan will include new street and sidewalk updates, educational programs, and city and school policy changes.
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