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March 2024 • View as Webpage

SPRING Into Safety

We are so excited to share great things we are up to this Spring!

MCDOT visits schools and other events in the community to share the importance of walking and biking safely to school. We have many resources available via our Safe Routes to School program (SRTS) that are free to use.

If there is anything we can do to support you or the children in your community during this time, do not hesitate to reach out. SRTS is a FREE program that provides pedestrian and bicycle safety education and outreach to residents of Montgomery County.

Join Us for Safety Day on May 11

Join us for a day of fun and learning at our Family Safety Day event, where we're putting a spotlight on Vision Zero and bike and pedestrian safety! Bring the whole family to enjoy interactive and educational experiences with safety demonstrations, workshops, and hands-on activities tailored for all ages. Don't miss the chance to win FREE giveaways and get your hands on essential safety gear that will help keep everyone protected on the roads and sidewalks. Whether you're a seasoned cyclist or just taking your first steps, we've got valuable tips and tricks to share. Mark your calendars and get ready to pedal and walk your way to a safer future with us!

Pedestrian Safety Art Contest Coming Soon

Our annual Pedestrian Safety Art Contest raises awareness about pedestrian safety with school-aged children. The contest will be open from April 1 - April 30, 2024. Students are encouraged to use their creative thinking and unique artwork to educate themselves and others about pedestrian safety. The goal of the contest is to educate students about this important topic and encourage them to practice safe behaviors while walking to and from school.

See photos from last year's winners. Pedestrian Safety Art Contest WINNERS 2023 | Flickr

Learn more about the contest at School Art Contest

Bike to School Day is Wednesday, May 8!

Our favorite safety mascot, Zeal, will host a special event at the school and share important safety tips.

Do you want to host this year's event? Fill out this brief form and tell us why your school should host Bike to School Day. We will review the submissions and announce the host in April.

From the 2023 event:

"We were so excited to host Bike to School Day today. What a wonderful event for our fabulous community!"

-- Kim Henriquez, Principal, Rock Creek Valley Elementary School

See more photos from the 2023 event >

GreenFest Coming Soon at New Location

The Montgomery County GreenFest is the largest annual environmental festival in Montgomery County, MD, organized by a coalition of public and non-profit partners. This year's event will be at a new location at Black Rock Arts Center in Germantown.

Join us at GreenFest 2024 where people of all ages come together to celebrate, learn, and start or continue their journey to improving our community and the environment! Stop by the Safe Routes to School tent while you are there.

See photos from last year's events. GreenFest 2023

Learn more about the event at Montgomery County GreenFest

Get Involved -- Become an SRTS School or Take the Safety Pledge!

By participating in the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program you are committing to the safety of students to and from school and while on school property. Complete this brief form to get started.

We collected 117 pledges at Walking Wednesday and other events last school this year. Let's double that number this year! Join us.

Pledge to be safe while walking, biking, or driving in and around Montgomery County.

You can also follow us and check out photos from events and campaigns this summer and throughout the year.

Engineering Update

MCDOT aims to complete walkability studies for 15 school walksheds each fiscal year. These walkability studies include observations of school arrival and dismissal to identify road user behaviors, site circulation, and safety and operational issues. Recommendations may include but are not limited to items for traffic calming, movement markings, enhanced pedestrian crossings, ADA ramps, spot intersection improvements, and more. Learn more about the Study at SRTS Walkability Study

Featured here are pedestrian accessibility and mobility improvements for the Montgomery Blair High School and Sligo Creek Elementary School. The construction includes ADA-compliant concrete sidewalks, replacement of impacted driveway aprons and connecting to sidewalks along side streets to provide a continuous path. Intersections were improved by providing curb extensions to shorten crossings, provide pedestrian ramps, improve sight lines, promote safer vehicle turning, and enhance pedestrian crossings with high visibility markings.

For more information, contact Duwan Morris, SRTS Program Manager, at srts@montgomerycountymd.gov