How BikeTexas & Safe Routes to School Helped Turn Amarillo into a More Bikeable Community

Share On Social!

Fernando Martinez of BikeTexas faced several challenges in bringing the Safe Routes to School Program (SRTS) to the children of Amarillo, Texas. The first time that Martinez approached school administrators they did not buy-in to the idea of SRTS.

After partnering with members of a local bike club–Martinez was able to bring the concept before school administrators once again–but this time he was able to demonstrate support from the community. Soon afterward, Martinez was invited to speak at a PTA meeting where parents expressed their interest in the SRTS program.

As the community became more aware of SRTS, parents and teachers wanted to learn more about how they could enable kids to participate in SRTS. The number of schools and children participating in BikeTexas’ SRTS program flourished.

Accoring to this blog post Robin Stallings the Executive Director of BikeTexas and local BikeTexas outreach coordinators Joyce Cunningham and Fernando Martinez, met with Mayor Debra McCartt of Amarillo, Texas to discuss how to introduce bike lanes to the community. Mayor McCartt discussed her vision to make Amarillo a bike friendly community and Larry Offerdahl, Director of Parks and Recreation, discussed the city’s Hike and Bike Master Plan.

The Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program had been approved by the Amarillo Independent School District (AISD) board one month prior to this meeting. AISD Program Director Denise Blanchard, a key supporter of SRTS, helped make the program a reality for AISD students.

At a meeting with city hall officials, Martinez expressed the need for bike lanes and routes surrounding all Amarillo schools. At the time the Amarillo Bike Routes Plan included plans for routes surrounding five elementary schools and one middle school. Enthusiasm among the community grew so much that bike lanes were eventually brought to two elementary schools.

Along with representatives from BikeTexas, Ken Graham and Steve Hayward served as key bike advocates who attended a meeting where members of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and the Amarillo Metropolitan Planning Organization (AMPO) gathered to discuss communication strategies and ways to keep the community informed of biking opportunities.

Because there was a large Spanish speaking community in Amarillo, Martinez worked to translate the BikeTexas SRTS curriculum to Spanish.

This enabled Spanish speaking parents to gain a better understanding of what SRTS is about and how their children could benefit from this program. This case study provides information on how Martinez brought Bicycle Education to Spanish-Speaking Communities.

As a result of bringing SRTS to Amarillo, the city now boasts a healthier and more active community. Even the mayor has hosted a “Bike with the Mayor” event which allowed community members of all ages, to join her on a bike ride.

In 2005, BikeTexas started educating the community of Amarillo about using bike lanes.

This blog describes a January 2007 PE teacher workshop that taught over 75 instructors in Amarillo about the Safe Routes to School program.

KidsFest 2007 and Safe Kids Week 2007 were also organized to reach the Amarillo community and promote awareness of bike safety and ways to increase physical activity opportunities, before and after school hours.

Now even high school students in Amarillo have the opportunity to earn PE credit through the Amarillo & Canyon High School Cycling Club.