Upgrades at every public school, at least 70 more projects planned, and new safety initiatives start this fall thanks in part to voter-approved funding
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At-a-glance:
- The new school year is officially here, and we need your help to keep all kids safe as they travel to and from school.
- Please drive at slow, safe speeds around schools. The speed limit is 20 miles per hour whenever children are present and when school zone yellow flashing lights are active.
- Did you know that around 30% of our students walk and bike to school? We’re building street and sidewalk upgrades to support more students getting to school in an active, social, and sustainable way.
- Over the past 10 years, our Safe Routes to School program has installed safety upgrades to every public school in Seattle – with at least 70 more projects planned in the years ahead, thanks in part to the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy.
- Use the links below to learn more and find out how to get involved:
- Thank you for keeping a lookout for students crossing the street as classes resume this fall, and every day.
Safe Routes to School project highlights
School Streets
Have you noticed a block next to a school closed to through-traffic? That’s a School Street! School Streets are open for school buses and people walking and biking; they are closed to through traffic (including school drop-off and pick-up). School Streets disperse the car traffic around a school so walking and biking to school is more welcoming with cleaner air and more comfortable crossings.
We currently have 19 (!) School Streets across the city, and this year we made 2 more of our School Streets permanent. This means that instead of temporary barricades that close the street just during school hours, these permanent School Streets have signs installed in concrete foundations that close the street to cars 24/7. Permanent School Streets also include pavement art designed in partnership with each individual school community!
Traffic calming and crossing improvements
This year, we’ve already implemented street crossing improvements at Concord Elementary, including new curb ramps and curb bulbs to narrow the street and make the crossings near the school more accessible.
We’ve also installed new all-way stops and marked crosswalks at four schools in the city: Beacon Hill International Elementary, James Baldwin Elementary, Pacific Crest School, and West Woodland Elementary.
Lastly, we’ve added new traffic calming measures and street crossing improvements at Kimball Elementary and Sand Point Elementary.
You can learn more on our Safe Routes to School program website.
Additional safety initiatives rolling out this fall & beyond
School Zone Safety Cameras
This fall, we’ll begin activating 37 new school zone safety cameras at 19 locations near schools across Seattle. Ten cameras are expected to be online in September, with additional ones coming online each month through the end of the year. These safety cameras enforce the speed limit in school zones and help protect children and families.
Data from existing school zone safety cameras show their effectiveness:
- 71 percent fewer crashes during school arrival and dismissal hours
- 50 percent fewer crashes at all times of day
- 90 percent of drivers who receive a citation never receive a second one
We plan to activate new cameras around these schools in September:
- Rainier Valley Leadership Academy (Rainier Ave S)
- Hamilton Middle School (Wallingford Ave N)
- West Seattle High School (California Ave SW)
- Bertschi School (10th Ave E),
- Bryant Elementary (35th Ave NE)
- Greenwood Elementary (3rd Ave NW)
- BF Day Elementary (Fremont Ave N)
Locations are selected by analyzing speed data, confirming school zone signage and flashing beacons are in place, and prioritizing locations based on equity.
You can find more information about Seattle’s school zone safety camera program here.
More upgrades on the way
With funding support from the voter-approved Seattle Transportation Levy, more safety upgrades are on the way. Among other improvements, we plan to deliver 70+ additional projects in the coming years specifically focused on helping students and families get to school safely. Thanks in part to $14 million from the new levy, we’re investing in a variety of new safety upgrades around schools through 2032!
How to get involved
This year, we’re continuing to expand community programs that empower schools and families to create safer travel habits. Consider whether your school would be a good candidate for a School Street!
In addition, our Safe Routes to School Program offers packages tailored to specific programs and activities that support walking and biking to school. We call these Walking & Biking Packages. Schools can request supplies for a school safety patrol, safety gear for a walking school bus or bike bus, or incentives for walking, biking, and rolling to school.
Mini Grants
Have a ‘big idea’ for your school? You can apply for a mini grant! We are expanding this program to offer grants up to $1,500 for Parent-Teacher Associations (PTAs), schools, and community groups to support programs like Bike Buses and Walk to School Days. This is an increase from a maximum of $1,000 in previous years.
Take transit to school (for free!)
All youth (18 and under) can ride transit for free! Parents and caregivers who want to accompany students on their way to school may also qualify for reduced fare cards depending on income level. View the different ORCA cards available here.
Did you know? Over half of our elementary (K-5) students are walking, rolling, biking, scooting, or taking the bus to school.
Encourage your community to promote safer travel
We can provide yard signs for you to place by your school. Currently, we have 11 different designs that you can pick up at community centers and Seattle Customer Service Centers around the city. Click here to find a pick-up center closest to you.
Thank you for helping us encourage walking, rolling, biking, and supporting safer travel for our children. We hope everyone had a great first day of school and has a wonderful 2025-2026 school year!
What people are saying
“Our Safe Routes to School program represents one of our most important investments in Seattle’s future – our children. Every child deserves a safe journey to and from school, and I’m proud that we’ve delivered safety improvements at every public school in our city. These infrastructure upgrades and community programs don’t just protect our students – they strengthen our neighborhoods and demonstrate our unwavering commitment to a livable city that puts families first.” – Mayor Bruce Harrell
“We’re not only building safer pathways for students to get to school but creating a sense of security and belonging within our neighborhoods. Making Seattle an even safer place to move around is what inspires me to come to work every day. It is an honor to be working hand-in-hand with schools, PTAs, and the community to encourage and empower healthy travel.” – SDOT Interim Director Adiam Emery
“Vision Zero is the foundation of everything we do at SDOT, and our Safe Routes to School program is a key example of this commitment. By investing in infrastructure, education, and enforcement, we’re creating safer streets that protect our most vulnerable road users – our children. Working with local, state, and federal partners, we’re advancing efforts to design safer streets, promote responsible travel behavior, and improve emergency response outcomes. Together, we’re building a transportation system where every family can rely on safer, more accessible routes and working towards our Vision Zero goal.” – SDOT Chief Safety Officer Venu Nemani
“Seattle Public Schools is proud to partner with the City of Seattle to improve walking and biking routes to school. Our most recent survey showed 30% of our elementary students are walking, biking, or rolling to school – that means we expect over 7,000 of our elementary students to walk, bike, and roll to school this year! However you get to school, please do so with care and caution.” – Marni Asplund-Campbell, Assistant Superintendent of School Operations, Seattle Public Schools
“Adding a School Street to our campus has not only improved student safety but also deepened our sense of community and school pride. The vibrant student art, paired with our school logo, beautifully showcases how proud we are to be Genesee Hill Foxes.” – Genesee Hill Elementary Principal Liz Dunn