Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Helping students get physically active while taking cars off the road
What’s Rolling at FCPS Safe Routes to School
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program at Fairfax County Public Schools continues to support safe, active transportation for families and students. Below are upcoming and current initiatives available to our schools and community.
Bike Bus Presentations
Interested in bringing a bike bus to your school?
A Bike Bus is a group of students riding together along a planned route with adult supervision. It’s a fun way to build community while promoting safe biking.
To request a presentation or learn how to get started, email: [email protected] .
Our team is happy to guide you through planning, safety considerations, and next steps.
Bike Unit for Physical Education
We provide PE teachers with training and equipment to help students learn how to ride safely and confidently.
The Bike Unit includes:
- Basic riding skills instruction
- Helmet and safety education
- Confidence-building activities
- Support for new and emerging riders
This program helps students develop lifelong skills and encourages active transportation habits.
Story Book Walks - Coming in April
Story Book Walks are coming to participating schools this spring!
Students and families can enjoy reading a story page-by-page along a walking route. It’s a fun way to promote literacy, physical activity, and community engagement all at once.
Bike and Roll to School Day - May 6, 2026
Schools across the country celebrate this national event encouraging students to walk, bike, or roll to school safely.
Check with your school’s PE teacher, PTA, or administration to see if your school is participating.
For national event information visit: https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/ .
Puzzle Hunt - June 1, 2026 - August 15, 2026
Our popular Puzzle Hunt returns this summer!
This free, family-friendly activity invites participants to:
- Solve bike and pedestrian safety-themed puzzles
- Explore local parks
- Practice safe walking and biking skills
- Win prizes
It’s a great way to stay active and engaged during the summer months.
Thank you for supporting safe and active transportation in our community. Together, we can create safer routes and healthier habits for our students.
About Safe Routes To Schools
The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program helps students safely walk, bike, or use other active transportation to get to school. SRTS promotes physical activity, student safety, and environmental health by reducing vehicle traffic.
Why does FCPS promote SRTS?
- Improves Student Health
- Improves Air Quality and Reduces Greenhouse Gasses
- Improves Student Safety
Why Bring Safe Routes to Your School?
How students in FCPS can benefit from SRTS:
- Students learn about pedestrian and bicycle safety
- Students can be physically active improving overall wellbeing
- Students can spend time in nature before and after school
- Reduces traffic and the amount of cars around schools
- Improves environment and air quality around schools
FCPS is working toward:
- Increasing the number of schools participating in SRTS
- Increasing the number of students who participate in safe walking and biking activities
Active Transportation
Encourage your student to walk, bike, or scooter to school safely.
These modes of active transportation promote:
- Exercise and fresh air
- Better concentration in class
- Familiarity with your neighborhood
- Student independence and confidence
- Collaboration with neighbors and friends also walking or biking to school
- Fewer cars at school provides a safer school zone and a healthier environment
- Walking is free! Driving a vehicle costs money (gas, maintenance)
The Kiss & Ride areas are overcrowded with vehicles. Please consider:
- Using active transportation
- Taking the school bus
- Parking away from school and walking the rest of the way
- Coordinating with neighbors for walking school buses or bike trains
Don’t Rely on Kiss and Ride
Walking to School
Walking to school can be a healthy mode of active transportation for students when done safely. Walking can benefit student well-being, connection to community, and the environment.
Parents please consider these factors and safety recommendations when allowing your student to walk to school:
- Choose a safe, quiet route
- Practice the route to school with your student
- Utilize sidewalks and crosswalks
- Be visible, wear bright or reflective clothing
- Avoid distractions (no phones or headphones)
- Obey signals and signs
- Consider walking to school with a neighbor or friend
A group of students walking with one or more adults. Can be informal (families taking turns) or formal with meeting points.
This easy and effective way to encourage students to walk to school together is a healthy habit and community builder.
Want to start a walking school bus at your school? We can help! Contact us at [email protected]
Students and families, lace up your shoes and join us for Walking Wednesdays, get active and connect with your community!
Walking Wednesdays are a county-wide initiative encouraging students to walk to school every Wednesday.
Pedestrian Safety
Created by students from McNair Upper Elementary school.
Biking to School
Biking to school can be a healthy mode of active transportation for students when done safely. It is the parents' decision as to when their child is ready to bike to school.
Parents please consider these factors and safety recommendations when determining if your student is capable of biking to school:
- Student age, maturity, and physical condition
- Choose a safe, quiet route
- Use bike racks and locks at school
- Practice the route to school with your student
- Student understands and follows traffic laws and signals
- Wear helmets (Required for under 15 in Fairfax County)
- Wear bright or reflective clothing
- Ride with neighbors or friends
A group of students biking with one or more adults along a planned route. Great for students who live farther away.
Can be informal with friends and neighbors or organized by the school.
This easy and effective way to encourage students to bike to school together is a healthy habit and community builder.
Want to start a bike train at your school? We can help! Contact us at [email protected]
All Aboard the Bike Train
Marshall Road Elementary School students participate in a bike train.
Planting Seeds of Bike Safety at Hollin Meadows
Hollin Meadows Elementary school implements the first traffic garden in FCPS.
Become Involved in SRTS
Be the parent or teacher who leads the effort of getting more students to walk or bike to school.
Plan and help coordinate special events at your students’ school including Walk to School Day or Bike to School Day.
Start and promote ongoing walking or biking programs, including walking school buses or bike trains, to provide students with regular opportunities for active transportation.
Interested in becoming involved or any questions? Please contact us, we are here to help!
Email: [email protected]
Office Phone: 703-764-2479
