Newton Safe Routes to School

Newton Safe Routes to School (SRTS) works to promote walking, biking, and taking the bus to school through encouragement, education, infrastructure improvements, and safety enforcement. Our goal is to create a healthy community for everyone.

Consider Walking or Biking

For those who live close enough to walk or bike to school, take some time before school starts to find and practice the route. Look for crosswalks, stoplights, and quieter streets.

Join with neighbors and others on your route to set up a Walking School Bus.
Find your PTO website and join your PTO Directory to connect with others you could walk or bike with.
Park & Walk maps identify crossing guard locations, "blue zone" vehicle drop-off areas, and suggested areas to park and walk over to the school. If you live too far to walk the whole way, consider parking further from the school and walking the last 15 minutes.
Look for an email from your principal with detailed information on arrival and dismissal procedures. Additional doors may be open to enable physical distancing on the way into school.
Need help finding a route? Email NewtonSafeRoutes @ gmail.com for help.

Walking and biking can boost students’ health, physical activity, and even their concentration in school. Many students will benefit from a chance to move their bodies before entering into a school environment that is more physically structured than before.

Use Lights at Night

New for 2023, MA Law requires a front white light and a rear red light and reflector at night.
Drivers must provide a safe passing distance of at least 4 feet when passing vulnerable road users on bicycles and scooters.
More on the MA Vulnerable Road User Laws here.

Rectangular Rapid Flashing Beacons

Visit our new RRFB page to learn how to use an RRFB and the 21 new RRFB locations for 2023.

Newton Public Schools Transportation

Yellow bus routes, bus application, METCO bus
City snow sidewalk routes, Park & Walk maps
MBTA discount Charlie Card for NPS students and MBTA routes that go by secondary schools.

How to be a bike-friendly driver

Wondering about the new pavement markings around Newton, how to best prevent crashes, and what rights cyclists have? Massachusetts Safe Routes to School has a fabulous new flyer with tips for drivers and people on bikes.

What YOU can to do make your child's route safer

Broken light? Fallen branch? Unshoveled sidewalk? No sidewalk at all? Learn more about how you can help make your child's route safer.

Share the Road

Pedestrian safety is a shared responsibility. Almost all students are pedestrians at some point in their routes to and from school. Tips for pedestrians and drivers on how to #ShareTheRoad.

Keeping Children Safe in the Blue Zone

What is a Blue Zone? Is it the right choice for your family?

All things SNOW

Reminder - the revised snow ordinance includes a fine if you do not remove snow or ice from your sidewalk. Click here to learn more.

Goodbye Winter Hello Spring Walk, Ride & Roll to School Day, Wednesday, March 20, 2024

Will you walk, roll, bike or bus? Choose what works for your family to welcome in spring this year!

Spring Walk-Ride-Roll Day on May 3, 2023

Will you walk, roll, bike or bus? Choose what works for your family to celebrate Winter Walk this year! Held annually, this event brings together students across the Commonwealth in celebrating winter and health.

Crossing Guard & Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Day, Wednesday, June 5, 2024

Wednesday, June 5, 2024
Say a special Thank You or write a card for your safety superhero
Sample Card to print and color here.

May is National Bike Month

There's never been a quieter time in Newton for a bike ride. This is also a good time to help your child find a bike route to school on calm streets. Make sure your child's bike fits their body (a good article on bicycle sizing) and that you help them check ABC's before they head out (helpful video). And don't forget a properly fitted and adjusted helmet (good guide here). Happy biking!

Crossing Guard and Bus/Van Driver Appreciation Day: Friday June 11, 2021

Newton's bus and van drivers and crossing guards were among the many unsung heroes of the school year. They demonstrated flexibility and resilience as school times and bus routes changed and COVID cases went up and down in our community, and made sure our children got to school safely.

Newton Safe Routes to School Task Force organized a day of appreciation city-wide on June 11. Thanks to the Newton PTO Council for donating the Safety Superhero buttons and many of you for your donations for the event.

It's not too late, you can still take a moment to help your child write a card or special note to their crossing guard or bus/van driver to let them know how much they are appreciated.

#IdleFreeNewton Campaign

Turn off your engine if you'll be waiting more than 10 seconds. Protect children's health and the environment.

Be Safe Be Seen: Tips for Being Visible

Drivers, Pedestrians and Cyclists, with the end of Daylight Savings Time, slow down, look around, and BE SAFE BE SEEN.

COVID 19 - Weekly Walk Challenge

Week #1. Basic: Over the course of the week, find doors that are red, orange, yellow, green, blue and purple. Remember their locations. Challenge: Now plan, and go on, a longer walk where you find them all in rainbow order. Extra Challenge: Now go on a walk where you find them all in REVERSE rainbow order.

More weekly challenges here: Google Doc

Newton is celebrating Winter Walk & Roll Week February 8-12. Pick a day or two and walk or roll to school a park, or around your home or neighborhood.

Here are some other ways to participate. Download the packet for materials.

· Decorate a paper boot and hang it in your window. Look for other boots on your walks.

· Play Winter Walk BINGO from Massachusetts Safe Routes to School or “I Spy”.

· Practice Walking like a Penguin, https://youtu.be/LHaWGibGwyk

What We Do: The 6 E's of Safe Routes

Education, Encouragement, Engagement, Evaluation, Engineering, Equity. Click here to see what the Task Force does in each of these areas.