The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) project is a community-centered effort focused on improving safety, accessibility, and equity for students traveling to and from school in Sacramento.

Many families face everyday challenges such as unsafe street crossings, missing or damaged sidewalks, speeding traffic, limited lighting, and a lack of safe biking infrastructure. These conditions can make walking, biking, or using transit to school difficult—especially in communities that have historically experienced underinvestment. This project works alongside families, students, schools, and community organizations to better understand these conditions and elevate lived experience in transportation planning.

Community engagement is at the heart of the project. Engagement activities include community forums and listening sessions, pop-up events at neighborhood gatherings, walk audits near schools, surveys, and creative activities that invite families and youth to share their experiences. Youth leadership is embedded throughout the project through a student intern and ambassador program that supports research, outreach, and community engagement.

Guidance for the project is provided by CHAMPS (Community Health & Active Mobility Partners of Sacramento), the project’s Stakeholder Advisory Committee. CHAMPS brings together schools, community-based organizations, youth leaders, and technical partners to provide ongoing input and help ensure the project reflects community priorities.

Community input gathered through this process will inform project findings, recommendations, and future planning efforts. This is a planning and engagement project focused on listening, learning, and building a strong foundation for safer routes to school.

This project is implemented in partnership with Sacramento City Unified School District and Civic Thread and made possible through California Climate Investments (CCI).