Safe Routes to School is a national program that encourages and improves the conditions for students to walk and bike to school.  The Federal government has allocated $612 million for a Safe Routes to School grant program for each state thru 2009.  Tennessee currently has over $4.2 million to disperse in 2007.

Hamilton County has over 120,000 households caring for more than 55,000 children under the age of 15. There are 47 elementary and 22 middle schools serving those children.

The Chattanooga-Hamilton County Program hopes to generate participation and improve conditions for walking and biking at all Hamilton County elementary and middle schools.

Given the eight schools willing to participate in 2006 and another eight to ten in 2007, the program has the potential to affect over 3,000 students and their parents. The program also has the potential to bring $1.5 million in community improvements such as sidewalks, bicycle facilities, updated crosswalks and signage as well as bicycle and pedestrian safety programs by 2009. 

Students and parents are expected to be healthier from the increase in physical activity. Some programs have cited that students are more focused in the classroom and social skills appear improved. Community benefits may include reduced traffic congestion, reduced air pollution, reduced fuel consumption, and reduced traffic accidents.