What is the Safe Routes to School Program? 
Our vision for Safe Routes to School in Harrisonburg is equitable and sustainable programming that supports, encourages, and ultimately increases safe active transportation among K-12 students. Through collaboration between city government departments, school district and school staff, and community organizations, we will work toward safer streets and school campuses, safe pedestrian, bicyclist, and motorist behavior, and a culture that values active transportation.
In October 2024, the City of Harrisonburg Public Works Department hired a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Coordinator. The SRTS Coordinator manages the Harrisonburg SRTS Program through supporting the Program’s many activities completed by a partnership of multiple organizations. These activities include educating students about safe walking and biking, as well as efforts that work toward making it safer and more desirable for students to walk or bike to school.
Safe Routes to School Activities
The SRTS Program will focus on the following:
Educate students on safe walking and biking in school settings
- Support bicycle safety education, bike unit activities, and professional development for teachers. Help maintain school bicycle fleets.
- Organize on campus walking before school to engage all students and build community.
- Amplify the Risk Watch Program through Harrisonburg Fire Department that educates on pedestrian safety.
Increase participation of biking and walking to school
- Pilot walking school buses and bike trains to coordinate students and families to walk and/or bike to school together.
- Promote International Walk and Bike to School Days to increase community involvement and excitement!
- Complete data collection to track participation through tallies and surveys.
Work across multiple entities to identify structural change for bike and pedestrian infrastructure
- Identify infrastructure changes of sidewalks, bike lanes, shared use paths, and other component of Public Works.
- Identify strategies to ensure safety of school zone through traffic enforcement, hiring crossing guards, or other traffic calming practices.
- Work to implement walk zones and identify on campus infrastructure/facilities.
- Coordinate efforts across multiple entities for outreach and engagement opportunities that promote biking and walking practices.
City Infrastructure Projects
For more information on current initiatives related to biking and walking and infrastructure projects directly related to Safe Routes to Schools.
Current Recommended Routes for Biking and Walking to School
Identified recommended routes are being evaluated and finalized. Updates will be provided as each route is finalized. See tips and maps below for current bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
Stay tuned for more information related to community engagement around walking school buses, bike trains, and upcoming related events.
City Maps
Safety Information
The Federal Highway Administration FHWA produced three bicycle safety education videos and three pedestrian safety education videos for different age groups of children (ages 5-9, ages 10-14, and ages 15-18). Available in English and Spanish.
- Bicycle Safer Journey (Spanish)
- Pedestrian Safer Journey (English)
- Pedestrian Safer Journey (Spanish)
SRTS National and State Event Dates
- February 12, 2025 - National Crossing Guard Appreciation Day
- May 7, 2025 – Bike & Roll to School Day
- October 8, 2025 - Walk & Roll to School Day
Supporting Organization Resources
The Safe Routes to School Program is made possible by the City of Harrisonburg in partnership with Harrisonburg City Public Schools, Sentara RMH Community Health and other related Community Members and Organizations.