Safe Routes to School
Forecasted
Safe Routes to School supports Ohio school districts with route improvements, travel planning and education that help K–12 students, including those with disabilities, walk or bike to school safely.
Funder: Ohio Department of Transportation
Due Dates (Anticipated): January 2027 (annual application deadline)
Funding Amounts: $5 million annually; up to $1 million per infrastructure project or $60,000–$120,000 per non-infrastructure project
Summary: Supports projects and activities that make walking or biking to school safer and more accessible for K–12 students.
Key Information: A school district must complete a School Travel Plan before applying for funding.
Description
The Ohio Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program provides resources, technical assistance and project funding to help K–12 students, including students with disabilities, walk or bike to school. Its five areas of focus are engineering, encouragement, education, enforcement and evaluation. ODOT’s Office of Transportation and Economic Development manages the program.
Funding supports infrastructure improvements near schools, such as safer crossings, walkways, bike facilities and trails. It also supports non-infrastructure work, including school travel planning, education, events, crossing guard programs and evaluation. Together, these approaches aim to make active school travel safer, more convenient and accessible.
