Safe Routes Improvement Act

This bill would require every state to name a Safe Routes to School coordinator. This person would be the main contact for projects that help kids walk and bike safely to school. States can use someone they already employ for the role, and they can use existing federal safety or transportation funds to pay the salary. The coordinator’s job can’t be loaded up with other tasks unless Congress allows it. States must post the coordinator’s contact info on the state DOT website, and if the job opens up, they have 180 days to fill it .

For families and communities, this means there’s a clear person to call about crosswalks, sidewalks, bike lanes, and safety education near schools. It aims to make it easier to plan and fix safety issues so kids can get to school more safely .

• Who is affected: All states; families, students, and schools using routes to school
• What changes: States must have a dedicated coordinator; contact info must be public; vacancies filled within 180 days; existing staff and funds may be used; limits on extra duties for the coordinator
• When: Takes effect upon enactment; 180-day deadline applies when the coordinator position becomes vacant