Beaver State News

Oregon has been selected as one of three states to receive a grant to enhance bike safety for youth in underserved communities. The $25,000 grant, awarded by the Governors Highway Safety Association and the National Road Safety Foundation, aims to make biking safer for young people in the rural areas of Douglas County.

Heidi Manlove, who manages the Safe Routes to School Education Program at the Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT), highlighted the importance of the initiative. "Ensuring our youngest road users have safe, accessible transportation options is a top priority," Manlove said. "With this grant, we can equip students with the skills and knowledge they need to navigate their communities safely on bikes."

The funds will be used in conjunction with Thrive Umpqua’s Safe Routes to School program. ODOT plans to purchase a fleet of 40 bicycles along with helmets and safety materials. These will be used for hands-on bike safety education in at least seven low-income, rural schools, allowing young riders to gain confidence and learn essential road safety skills.

Manlove further remarked on the broader objective of the program, stating, "By working with local partners and schools, we’re creating opportunities for students to be active and safe in their daily lives. We’re excited to see the impact this project will have in these communities."

The initiative is part of a larger endeavor to create safer walking, biking, and scooting options for young people while promoting a culture of active transportation in Oregon’s rural communities. Similar grants have also been awarded to Missouri and Washington, as part of a wider effort to improve transportation safety for youth across the country.

For more details, individuals are encouraged to visit the Safe Routes to School Program and the Governors Highway Safety Association webpage.