Mayor Daleys Safe Routes Ambassadors 2008-2009

Objective: To improve pedestrian safety through targeted education and outreach to children and communities around schools. Chicago Public and Private Schools Chicago Department of Transportation Pedestrian Program (CDOT) Illinois Department of Transportation Division of Traffic Safety (IDOT)

Partners:

Results: In 2009, the Safe Routes Ambassadors visited: 170 Chicago schools for in-class presentations 15 Chicago schools for follow-up, on-foot workshops (9%) 19 Community events 48 Wards 25 Police Districts 48 Chicago schools located in areas with a high percentage of youth-pedestrian crashes In 2009, Mayor Daleys Safe Routes Ambassadors continued to reach students, parents and school leaders with traffic safety curriculum in Chicago schools. The Safe Routes Ambassadors are comprised of four education specialists who lead classroom-based presentations for 2nd and 5th graders on pedestrian and bicycle safety. In the weeks following in-class presentations, Ambassadors re-visit some classrooms to lead outdoor, on-foot workshops, teaching children to apply what they have learned in the classroom. In addition to leading presentations and workshops in schools, the Safe Routes Ambassadors also do outreach to parents, students and community members at local events, health and wellness fairs, public libraries and in other non-classroom settings. Through direct outreach, the Safe Routes Ambassadors help ensure that child pedestrian safety messages are supported throughout communities. The following table displays the total number of students and community members reached by the Safe Routes Ambassadors through these events:

Type of Event In-Class Presentations Follow-up: On-Foot Workshops Community Events 1

Students Addressed 13,704 1,513 (11%)

Adults Addressed 743 75 (10%)

Total 14,447 1,588 (11%) 1,886

In total, the Safe Routes Ambassadors reached 16,333 Chicagoans over the course of FY 2009. Program Successes and Evaluation: Feedback from teachers on the Safe Routes Ambassadors presentations is consistently positive and enthusiastic. Comments include: The presenters were very energetic and kept the students attention, Some teachers reported that connecting the words with visuals was particularly helpful, and The kids retained all the information because it was actively engaging. Kids truly understood the importance of wearing a helmet, and The presentation presented practical informationthe segment on road rules was particularly applicable. 2 International Walk and Bike to School Day is a central event for improving safety for children in Chicago. The Safe Routes Ambassadors were stationed at Emmett Till Elementary School, which served as the Chicago Department of Transportations Flagship School. The event featured participation from Alderman Cochran, Commander Hayles of the 3rd Police District, Chicago Department of Transportation staff and local volunteers. In addition to this event, the Safe Routes Ambassadors provided resources to three additional schools celebrating the event in the form of posters, literature, giveaways and sample lesson plans for teachers.
1 2

Students and Adults addressed are not separated out for Community Events. Teacher comments are taken from evaluations from Council Oak Montessori, Morgan Park Academy, St. John De La Salle and St. Josaphat.

Overall, the Safe Routes Ambassadors program successfully reached children in every corner of the city, including schools and communities in areas with high numbers of child pedestrian crashes. The program continues to engage students around the issues of pedestrian and bicycle safety, providing critical safety messaging that students would otherwise not receive.