Rye Neck Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a federal program of the U.S. Department of Transportation that was created in 2005 to improve the ability of students to walk and bicycle to school safely. The purpose of the SRTS program is:
- To enable and encourage children (including those with disabilities) to walk and bicycle to school.
- To make bicycling and walking to school a safer and more appealing transportation alternative, thereby encouraging a healthy and active lifestyle from an early age.
- To facilitate the planning, development, and implementation of projects and activities that will improve safety and reduce traffic (as well as fuel consumption and air pollution) in the vicinity of schools.
Each state administers its own SRTS program. New York's Safe Routes to School program assists New York communities in developing and implementing projects and programs that encourage walking and bicycling to school while enhancing the safety of these trips. The program is open to all New York municipalities and school districts.
In late 2023, the Rye Neck Safe Routes to School (RN SRTS) group was re-established. RN SRTS is comprised of parents in the Rye Neck school district, who coordinate with school administrators, PTA representatives, elected officials, municipal employees, police officers, Mamaroneck SRTS, and other community members to improve pedestrian, bicycle, and traffic safety. Initiatives can include coordinating Education programs, advocating for Engineering initiatives by the municipalities, and/or requesting the assistance of local law Enforcement.
RN SRTS Contact
If you have other ideas or requests about how to make it safer and easier for Rye Neck students to walk and bike to school, or if you would like to be involved more actively with RN SRTS, do not hesitate also to send an email to: saferoutesrnsd@gmail.com.
Please address the email to Christi Young and/or Diana Reilly, Rye Neck Safe Routes to School Co-Chairs. Thank you for any interest or input.
Federal and State SRTS Resources
Examples of RN SRTS
Safe Streets for All Grant: The Village of Mamaroneck will be receiving an FY2024 Safe Streets and Roads for All grant in the amount of $240,000 from the U.S. Department of Transportation for the Village of Mamaroneck Safety Action Plan project. This award will be used by the Village of Mamaroneck to develop a comprehensive safety action plan, and the RN SRTS group will be advocating for the inclusion of improvements relating to Rye Neck schools.
NYSDOT Project #847315: The NYS Department of Transportation’s project (#847315) will resurface US Route 1 from the New Rochelle city line to the City of Rye, while making considerations for drainage, pedestrian improvements, and curb work as funding allows in the Towns of Mamaroneck and Rye, and Villages of Larchmont and Mamaroneck. RN SRTS members are communicating with both the NYSDOT and the Village of Mamaroneck to advocate for improved bicycle and pedestrian infrastructure as part of this project, including a complete streets concept particularly near Rye Neck schools adjacent to Route 1.
Rye Neck Safe Routes to School Survey Results: During the summer of 2024, Rye Neck parents were asked to respond to a survey regarding pedestrian and bicycle safety on Route 1 as well as the Village of Mamaroneck overall. RN SRTS is coordinating with the VOM Traffic Commission to determine which survey comments can be addressed and requests for improvement can be made.
Multi-School Projects: RN SRTS is coordinating with PTSA representatives and local law enforcement on Rye Neck school district-based projects. These projects involve education, encouragement, and enforcement activities such as bicycle safety education, Walk/Bike to School Week promotion, etc.
What Resources Can You Leverage?
Traffic Safety Improvement Requests to VOM Traffic Commission: The Traffic Commission serves as an Advisory Commission that reviews concerns, requests, and suggestions regarding traffic safety and improvements from residents that reside in the Village of Mamaroneck. The Commission’s role is to evaluate and recommend to the Village of Mamaroneck Board of Trustees various approaches and proposed changes that could be utilized to create safer and more livable neighborhoods, as well as enhance traffic safety within the VOM. To submit any requests (for pedestrian or bicycle facilities, parking, signage, crosswalks, speed bumps, etc.), fill out the Traffic Commission’s incident report form at least 7 days in advance of the Traffic Commission’s monthly meeting (which usually occurs the second Tuesday of each month).
Reports of Traffic Violations to the VOM Police Department: For non-emergencies, dial the VOMPD at (914) 777-1122.