(Heights Observer by Mary Dunbar, CH Council)(Ed: Community members are encouraged to attend especially if they are concerned about the safety of children who walk or bike to school.)
In May 2013, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) awarded the City of Cleveland Heights a consultant to help develop a school travel plan. A public hearing to review a draft of the plan is set for Thursday, Jan. 16, at 6:30 p.m. in council chambers at Cleveland Heights City Hall, with questions and answers to follow. Residents interested in the effort to improve safe walking and biking to school are encouraged to attend, to learn about the plan, and provide input.
A school travel plan is required for the city to apply for Safe Routes to School grants, which in turn are used to fund infrastructure improvements and educational programs. Infrastructure might include improved traffic signals for crossing busy streets, while education programs support safety education for walking and bicycling.
In November, the consultant surveyed parents at Oxford, Canterbury and Roxboro elementary schools, Monticello Middle School and the Hebrew Academy to identify attitudes and concerns about students walking or biking to school. Teachers were asked to tally actual modes of transportation that students used to get to school.
In December, the consultant and traffic engineers met with city and school personnel and observed dismissal at the schools selected for the study. While studying every Cleveland Heights and University Heights school would have been desirable, program requirements limited the number, and the sample chosen is geographically diverse.
Cleveland Heights will finalize its school travel plan following the public hearing on Jan. 16. The city then will be able to apply, in March, for Safe Routes to School funds.
The application to ODOT for a consultant to help in developing a Cleveland Heights school travel plan was supported by the city, Cleveland Heights-University Heights City School District, Heights Bicycle Coalition and the Hebrew Academy. Findings are expected to apply to all schools in the city.
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