Safe biking, walking, and rolling keeps students happy, healthy, and focused
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a nationwide program that encourages K-12 students to safely bike, walk and roll to school through engaging educational campaigns, programs, and activities. CPRC collaborates with schools across its seven-county region, which includes Durham, Chatham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, and Wake, to deliver its programming.
The program is currently funded by an extension two-year grant (FY24-25) from the NC Department of Transportation (NCDOT's) Non-Infrastructure Transportation Alternatives Program, with funding available through December of 2026.
The key goals of CPRC's SRTS grant program are:
Connect and coordinate with current and prospective partners to expand SRTS programming in schools across the Central Pines grant region.
Promote inclusivity of all communities to SRTS programs and materials by developing options for all schools based on community need to maximize the program impact.
- Execute SRTS programs to encourage safe biking, walking, and rolling practices in school settings to keep students happy, healthy, and focused.
In past years, the program has hosted a wide range of activities, including bike rodeos, classroom walking exercises, and bicycle rack art projects. Staff have also engaged with the community through event tabling and built connections with other SRTS programs in the region.
In Spring 2026, the program will continue expansion of its Bicycle Safety Week programming at elementary schools across Chatham County and build off of its presence in Johnston and Lee counties.
For scheduling/more information, please contact Andres Otero, SRTS Program Coordinator: aotero@centralpinesnc.gov or (919) 558-2707.
At programmatic level, we have integrated data from our ArcGIS map including all K-12 schools in the grant area and overlapping with layers of existing bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure.
SRTS is hosting its Bicycle Safety Week program at the following schools this spring:
- Chatham Grove Elementary School, Pittsboro
- J. S. Waters School, Goldston
- North Chatham Elementary School, Chapel Hill
- Perry Harrison Elementary School, Pittsboro
- Siler City Elementary School, Siler City
- Virginia Cross Elementary School, Siler City
Sign up here for our quarterly newsletter (in English and Spanish) to stay updated on our program updates and exciting event offerings.
The Central Pines Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Regional Working Group consists of SRTS practitioners and stakeholders across the Central Pines region (Chatham, Durham, Johnston, Lee, Moore, Orange, Wake counties). The purpose of the group is to share best practices, identify shared opportunities, and develop SRTS programming among one another in our region. The group meets virtually on a monthly basis. For more information, please contact Andres Otero at aotero@centralpinesnc.gov.
SRTS Regional Working Group Charter (revised 11/24)
Shuchi Gupta, Project Manager
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Andres Otero, Project Coordinator
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