From Sidewalks to Crosswalks: Pushing for Safer, Active Transportation Options for Students

We’ve all been there—rushing out the door late and speeding past students crossing the street on their way to school, hoping to make it to work on time. But how often do we think about the risks these children face while navigating busy streets? For many students in Richmond, walking or biking to school comes with unsafe conditions.

As the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Coordinator for Richmond Public Schools (RPS), Fit4Kids is working to make these routes safer and more accessible. The goal? To create environments where students can walk or bike to school with confidence and security.

After noticing unsafe walking conditions surrounding Martin Luther King, Jr. Middle School and Preschool, Fit4Kids staff members Jesse Cashin and Tara Fitzpatrick conducted an in-depth safety audit of school zones. Through collaboration with the City of Richmond and the Department of Public Works, they assessed 52 schools, reviewed traffic patterns, and identified key safety risks—including dangerous intersections, poor infrastructure, and a lack of bike lanes. 

Using walk audit data from site visits and the City of Richmond’s High Injury Network crash data, Cashin and Fitzpatrick determined which schools were most at risk for potential pedestrian incidents. The walk audit specifically evaluated schools’ pavement markings, sidewalks, traffic signals, proximity to arterial or high-traffic streets, bike infrastructure, and presence of technology and support like safety cameras and crossing guards. The High Injury Network is part of the City’s Vision Zero initiative, which aims to reduce pedestrian fatalities to zero by 2030. After accumulating the two forms of data, Cashin and Fitzpatrick formed a ranking system of the different schools and districts to determine which schools needed immediate attention.

On November 12th, Cashin presented the findings to RPS leaders and the Department of Public Works Vision Zero team including RPS Chief Wellness Officer Renesha Parks and Superintendent Jason Kamras. They found that the 9th and 4th districts were the most at-risk, recommending that the City prioritize the implementation of infrastructure improvements and SRTS crossing guards at schools in these districts. 

This effort is part of Fit4Kids’ “Growing Healthy Kids” strategic plan, working to make Richmond schools safer, more active, and more accessible for all students. Cashin says, “With 50% of RPS schools situated on the high-injury network and increased incidents of speeding and distracted driving, it’s imperative that we expand the use of traffic calming measures, educate the public on the severity of these issues, and work with local officials to implement safer routes for our students. In addition, expanding our crossing guard program to reach more schools and quickly address problem areas for student pedestrians and cyclists will be key. By taking these proactive steps, we can help ensure that every child has the option to commute using active transportation and ensure they have a safe journey to and from school each day throughout our city”. With the continued collaboration of city leaders and community partners, Cashin and Fitzpatrick are hopeful that the City will implement their recommendations, including expanding our SRTS crossing guard efforts, making it easier for kids across Richmond to walk or bike to school safely.

To learn more about the audit and its impact, click here.