Lorain County schools receive $295,000 to improve safety for students walking, biking to school

The state will distribute a total of nearly $300,000 to five Lorain County school districts to be used to improve safety for students who bike or walk to school. Gov. Mike DeWine and Pamela Boratyn, director of the Ohio Department of Transportation, or ODOT, announced the investment of $7.6 million in a news release Tuesday. They said that the money would be used to increase safety by improving both education and infrastructure. "These are more than just transportation projects, they are investments in the health, safety and future of our children," DeWine said in the release. "These funds will help ensure more Ohio students have safe, accessible options to get to school." The program will fund a total of 24 projects across 12 counties, including five in Lorain County that will receive a total of $295,000. All money will be received through Lorain County Public Health, and three of the five districts will receive money to pay for a Safe Routes to School, or SRTS, coordinator who will work through the health department to oversee the implementation of their programs. All funds are set to be received in 2026, according to the state. Lorain Schools will receive $100,000 to pay for an SRTS coordinator, school pedestrian and bike programming, walk-to-school days, bike repair events and community pedestrian safety education Elyria Schools will receive $80,000 to pay for an SRTS coordinator, a walk- and bike-to-school day, in-school walking and biking curriculum, bike rodeos a contract with a bicycle program educator, safety equipment distribution and professional development. Oberlin Schools will receive $40,000 to pay for an SRTS coordinator, school pedestrian and bike programming, walk-to-school days, bike repair events and community pedestrian safety education Clearview Schools will receive $40,000 to support a "Walking School Bus" program and "Corner Captains" program, in-school bicycle education, walk- and bike-to-school days, crossing guard supplies and safety equipment distribution. North Ridgeville Schools will receive $35,000 to fund community pedestrian and bike safety campaigns, educational initiatives ,supplies for walk- and bike-to-school days, bike rodeos, expansion of the district's Girls In Gear Program and professional development for school staff and community partners. The $7.6 million that ODOT is distributing statewide will bring the total awarded funding of the Safe Routes to School program to around $90 million since its inception in 2005. "Walking or biking to school is a simple yet powerful way to promote healthier kids, safer neighborhoods and more connected communities," Boratyn said in the release. "Safe Routes to School is a key part of ODOT's broader commitment to active transportation, helping communities thrive by supporting safer streets and encouraging daily physical activity among our youngest citizens." Contact Owen MacMillan at (440) 329-7123 or omacmillan@chroniclet.com.