After years of preparation, we finally had a hearing that is one of the first steps in making Idaho streets safer for school children, and all other road users too.
And thanks to YOU, all that hard work paid off because we made it through an important hurdle in the legislative process!
On Wednesday, March 2, the Senate Transportation Committee voted unanimously to send Senate Bill 1121 to the full Senate for a vote. Sen. Bert Brackett (R), Rogerson, will carry the bill, which will establish a statewide Safe Routes to School Program to improve the health and safety of school children.
There were passionate, and sometimes emotional, speakers testifying in support of this bill to a packed committee hearing room. We are told that senators are receiving waves of emails and phone calls from constituents in support as well.
Lisa Brady with Treasure Valley Safe Routes to School program, Joe Wyatt, Cynthia Gibson with Idaho Walk Bike Alliance, and Courtney Wyatt.
Sen. Dan Johnson (R), Lewiston, giving testimony in favor of Senate Bill 1121.
Check out more photos and videos from the hearing on our Facebook album and Facebook video library.
THANK YOU for all your support! But while we couldn’t be here without YOU, we still have a long way to go. Here’s how you can help next before the full Senate votes sometime the week of March 6!
Email your Senators and ask them to support SB 1121 using this handy form or the contact information in this link, which also contains tips and basic messaging guidelines. Emailing is recommended instead of calling because your digitial communications become part of the public record. Don’t know who your legislator is? Follow this link!
If you contacted one of the members of the Senate Transportation Committee, then you know how easy it is. Emailing legislators is truly easy, effective and influential. Receiving concise, informed and passionate messages from constituentsreminds lawmakers who they represent.
The Safe Routes to School Program provides education and safety programs and infrastructure that allow school children to walk and bike to school safely, increasing their daily physical activity levels and lowering their long-term health risks.
Want more information? Read this argument about why state funding is important.
Safe Routes to School funding could help these communities, and others like them all over the state, make walking and/or bicycling to school less dangerous!
