East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission, WisDOT, and the Bicycle Federation of Wisconsin will be hosting WisDOT Safe Routes to School Grants Training on Tuesday, June 15th, 2010, from 1:00p.m. – 3:30p.m. at the Menasha Public Library. If you are interested in attending please contact Jessica Wineberg Binder.

Applications are now available for the Calendar Year 2010 application cycle for Safe Routes to School, Transportation Enhancements and Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities programs.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) funds infrastructure-related projects and projects related to education, enforcement, encouragement and evaluation. Communities just starting their SRTS programs can apply for funding to help create an SRTS plan. Funding is available for Fiscal Years 2011–2012. Applications for SRTS must be postmarked by July 9. Applications and guidelines for SRTS are available online at here.

The Transportation Enhancements (TE) Program provides funds to plan, design and construct bicycle and pedestrian amenities, preserve historic transportation structures, streetscaping and other initiatives that enhance the surface transportation system. Funding is available for Fiscal Years 2011–2014. The Bicycle and Pedestrian Facilities Program (BPFP) was created for the construction or planning of bicycle or bicycle/pedestrian facilities projects. Funding is available for Fiscal Years 2011–2014. Applications for TE and BPFP must be emailed by August 2. Applications and guidelines for the TE and BPFP programs are available online here

The Safe Routes to School National Partnership selected East Central Wisconsin Regional Planning Commission to bill the state or local at large seat on their steering committee. The Safe Routes to School National Partnership is a network of organizations, government agencies, and professional groups that support Safe Routes to School programs, resources, activities, and funding. To find out more about the Safe Routes to School National Partnership go to www.saferoutespartnership.org

Bike to School Day was held on Thursday, May 20th. Approximately 70 schools within the region participated. Events varied from biking to school, bicycle trains, bike rodeos, bicycle safety quiz, wear your helmet to lunch and teaching bicycle safety in physical education classes. Schools that participated were asked to fill out a survey. Ten schools were selected to receive a $300 gift card to Wheel and Sprocket for a student to receive a new bicycle. Wheel and Sprocket generously also offered students with the gift cards to receive 10% off of their bike along with a new helmet. Thank you to all of the schools that participated and to Wheel and Sprocket for providing the discount on the bicycle purchase along with the helmets.