New Hampshire SRTS News, Spring 2018:
Encouraging Safe Bicycling and Walking to School
Bike-to-School Day
Bicycle Safety Training
Non-Infrastructure Funding
Final Non-infrastructureAwards
Construction Projects Scheduled for 2018
Bicycles Take to the Routes to School in May
Spring is in the air, and it’s time for New Hampshire’s children to use their bicycles for healthy trips between home and school.
Wednesday, May 9, has been designated Bike-to-School Day by the National Center for Safe Routes to School (SRTS). School and community groups organizing rides that day, or any time during the month, are strongly encouraged to register their events at a Web site maintained by the center.
The Andover Elementary/Middle School was the first in New Hampshire to register. The school was one of the first in the state to participate in SRTS. A sidewalk on school grounds now provides a safe route separated from motor vehicles. The school also makes use of the Northern Rail Trail as an off-road bicycling route from demote drop-off locations.
Although most schools are not adjacent to rail trails, the groups of young bicyclists are known as a “rolling bike train.” Kids meet at a pre-arranged gathering point and ride to school together, usually accompanied by adult parents, school personnel, or community volunteers.
Bike-to-School Day and Month complement International Walk-to-School Day in October. The events often showcase new programs, but the purpose of SRTS is for communities to establish regular walking and bicycling programs.
A walking group is known as a “walking school bus.” Boththe bicycling and walking forms are known as “escort programs.” The idea is simple. Students find safety in numbers while the adults who join them ensure safe walking and bicycling practices.
If your school is planning anevent, please notify the coordinator.
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Bike-Walk Alliance Offers Safety Training in Schools
The Bike-Walk Alliance of New Hampshire (BWANH) continues to offer free biking and walking presentations to students in Grades 4 and 5 across the state. The education effort is supported with a SRTS non-infrastructure grant.
Theclasses are led by instructors certified by the League of American Bicyclists, a nationally recognized leader in bicycle safety. The sessions are 45 minutes long and are presented during the class day. Each participant receives two informational flyers to take home and share with their parents. For more information about these important classes please contact
Leslie Thompson
Bike-Ed Coordinator
Bike Walk Alliance of NH
2 Whitney Rd., Suite 11
Concord, NH 03301
Phone: 603-410-5848 or e-mail:
Or visit the BWANH Web Site
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NHDOT Makes Final Non-Infrastructure Awards
The New Hampshire Department of Transportation (NHDOT) has made its final SRTS non-infrastructure awards.
Schools in Stratham and Harrisville have stepped up along with the Bike-Walk Alliance.
Stratham is taking an ambitious approach. It was granted funding for start-up activities and school travel plans for the Stratham Memorial School and Cooperative Middle School.
Harrisville was awarded a start-up award for activities at the Harrisville Wells Memorial School.
The Bike-Walk Alliance was awarded funds to continue its bicycle safety programs described above.
School-related infrastructure projects remain eligible for funding under the Transportation Alternatives Program (TAP). NHDOT will announce the next funding round when it is scheduled.
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Communities Gear Up for 2018 Construction Season
Nashua, Pittsfield, Plaistow, and Portsmouth are anticipating in SRTS construction projects during the 2018 season.
Nashua has the simplest project, Two solar-powered “variable message speed feedback” signs will be erected near the Birch Hill Elementary School.
Pittsfield has the most ambitious project in New Hampshire’s SRTS history. New sidewalks will be built along roads leading to the school complex that includes Pittsfield Elementary School and the Pittsfield Middle High School.
Plaistow will focus on traffic calming at the Main and Elm streets intersection near the Pollard School in the village center. The project includes newly marked crosswalks, pavement narrowing, and a short section of sidewalk.
Portsmouth is working on the program’s second major bicycling project in the Granite State. New bicycle lanes will be markedalong Lafayette Road and Middle Street. The project also includes marked crosswalks and warning lights. The downtown route will bring young bicyclists within a few blocks of a number of elementary and the middle school.
Projects in Nashua and Claremont have been scheduled for the 2019 season.
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Biking and Walking Guidance Available
Although all funds available for SRTS as an independent program have been awarded, the department continues to offer advice and information about community programs. John Corrigan, the coordinator, will meet with community task forces that include municipal, school, community representatives. Related technical assistance is also offered by the Regional Planning Commissions.
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John W. Corrigan
Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Bureau of Planning and Community Assistance
N.H. Department of Transportation
7 Hazen Drive, PO Box 483
Concord, NH 03302-0483
(603) 271-1980
SRTS Web site:
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