Looking ahead with Safe Routes to School for 2026
Last fall, the Safe Routes to School program LSA coordinates in partnership with the City of Tucson and City of South Tucson saw a leadership transition. After Benji Rouse moved on to new opportunities, I stepped into the role—hi, I’m Ellie! Having worked as a subcontractor over the past 8 years for LSA, both as a riding instructor for Partner School bike clubs and a mechanic for Mobile Bike Repair Clinics and outreach events, my goal was for my onboarding to feel like a seamless transition for our partners, continuing the great work of SRTS without pause. A couple months in and I’m feeling proud of the support that Benji and I collaboratively were able to deliver this semester to Tucson schools and communities, as well as looking forward to growing with our programs in the year to come. Here are some highlights from the start of the school year and some new things to look forward to!
End of Fall Semester Highlights
What’s happening in our Partner Schools?
JVYC/Ochoa bike club launched with sixteen 3rd and 4th grade riders over 8 sessions. New staff from BICAS Education Committee joined the team, participating in a Ride Leader training. Additionally we met with 16 middle and high school youth from the JVYC Teen Program to collect input on older youth biking opportunities and joined an Ochoa Community School parent for an informal neighborhood walk as a first step to assess potential for a new Walking School Bus.
At Mission View Elementary the semester got started with a school day bicycle rodeo, followed by bike club sessions for two groups of afterschool riders, 13 returning participants focused on improving safe riding skills while also learning to safely ride in the streets as a group while out on neighborhood rides. An additional 13 new riders met mid week to learn the basics of balancing, rolling, steering, and stopping, all while building self confidence and spacial awareness.
Another 13 high school students met daily as part of Pueblo High’s Bicycle Class, with LSA staff joining weekly for community rides and leading 3 Bicycle Education Clinics focused on learning how to fix flats, adjust brakes, and fine tune shifting. Two Pueblo High students joined our team through an apprenticeship program, providing bike repair to the Tucson community.
Los Amigos Walking School Bus kicked off with big festivities in October and celebrated their final morning walk of the semester in December with the inauguration of a new crosswalk on Drexel, facilitating a safer arrival at school. The WSB regularly sees 120 participants with the support of 24 teachers.
Pueblo Gardens Middle Schools had a blast with over 100 students participating in two days of bicycle rodeos, learning safe riding skills as they navigated a traffic garden installation with our partners at Project Bike Club
And throughout Tucson?
1165 3rd and 4th grade students received safety based Rider & Walker in-class presentations.
We repaired 70 bikes at Mobile Bike Repair Clinics and distributed 87 helmets and 10 light sets through Safe Routes to School at schools, libraries, and parks.
Here are just a few things we’re looking forward to in the new year?
Increasing family participation starting with an open house for families of current and interested bicycle club participants.
Launching Pueblo Garden’s Bike Club for Spring Semester.
Visiting 10-15 sites to provide free bike repair with helmet and other safety supplies giveaways.
Activating schools and youth groups along the route of our Spring Cyclovia to help host and get involved.
Identifying a new partner school to provide bicycle and pedestrian safety education and encouragement through new programs.
Increasing opportunities for high school students to participate in our Youth Mechanic Apprenticeship Program.
Supporting Tucson communities and schools as the leading advocates for safer streets.
What do you want to see at and around your school? Reach out and let us know by emailing saferoutes@livingstreetsalliance.org or visiting saferoutestucson.org.
