Safe Routes Partnership History

Starting the Ride: Where the Journey Began

Like many powerful movements, Safe Routes to School started with a simple, human need: getting children to and from school safely. In the 1970s, the city of Odense, Denmark, faced a challenge. Too many children were getting injured on their way to school. Their solution was simple but powerful: bike lanes, slower traffic, and safer streets. These changes led to a 40% drop in child traffic injuries and inspired similar programs around the world.

This local success inspired communities across Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Canada to reimagine how children move through their neighborhoods.

Rolling Into the U.S.

Fast forward to the late 1990s. In New York City's Bronx borough and across Florida, local leaders began piloting Safe Routes to School programs. The idea was clear: improve safety, encourage physical activity, and make the school journey fun again.

By 2000, Congress funded two pilot projects through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, lighting a fire for what would become a nationwide movement. These pilot projects began in large part to the efforts of advocate Deb Hubsmith and Congressman Jim Oberstar.

A National Commitment

In 2005, that spark turned into a blazing path forward. Congress passed the SAFETEA-LU transportation bill, authorizing the first federal Safe Routes to School program and investing $1.1 billion over five years. Schools across the country began seeing real change including new sidewalks, crosswalks, bike racks, and encouragement programs aimed at making walking and biking to school a real option. Between 2005 and 2012, more than 15,000 schools benefitted.

The same year, Deb Hubsmith founded the Safe Routes Partnership, initially as a project under Bikes Belong (now PeopleForBikes). Her vision turned a small initiative into a growing national coalition. By 2013, the Partnership had become the national leader in Safe Routes to School.

Navigating Detours, Keeping Momentum

When the federal landscape shifted in 2012 and the standalone Safe Routes to School program ended, the Safe Routes Partnership didn’t back down. Instead, we expanded our approach, advocating for Safe Routes funding under the new Transportation Alternatives Program, and launching local and state campaigns to keep the momentum alive. We championed policies like Complete Streets and shared-use agreements, and provided training, resources, and on-the-ground support to communities navigating new challenges.

Bigger Vision, Broader Impact

As we grew, so did our understanding of what it means to have safe routes. We realized this isn’t just about the trip to school; it’s about every journey people take in their communities. That’s why we now champion Safe Routes Everywhere. From parks and libraries to community centers and grocery stores, we believe every person deserves a safe, convenient, and joyful way to get where they need to go, no matter how they travel.

Rolling Forward: Our Legacy, Our Future

Today, the Safe Routes Partnership is the national leader in creating healthy, active, and equitable communities. We've influenced legislation, supported thousands of communities, and inspired a movement that centers children, health, and safety.

But our work isn’t done.

Together, we’re walking, biking, and rolling toward a future where every community has access to safe, inclusive, and joyful ways to get around because mobility is a right for all.