The Kansas Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program has awarded grants to five Kansas communities to help increase safety for children as they walk, bike and roll to school. Coffeyville, Garden City, Liberal and Newton received planning grants, and Lawrence received a programming grant.

Work to develop SRTS plans in the four communities will begin in August. Plans include analyzing existing conditions, reviewing public outreach results and recommending infrastructure and non-infrastructure solutions.

After plans are completed, communities are eligible for programming funding. This funding can span up to three school years and is focused on funding education, encouragement and/or enforcement activities.

This round’s programming grant will assist the Lawrence Coalition for Safe Streets to establish a Cordley Elementary Bike Bus Program. A bike bus is a coordinated group ride for students that is led by adult volunteers. It encourages biking to and/or from school and helps improve safety for bicyclists.

Applications for the next round of SRTS grants is scheduled for spring 2027. More information is available at saferoutes.ksdot.gov/grants-and-funding.