Safety for children travelling to and from school has become an increasingly important issue in recent years. According to a study from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the number of children ages 5 to 18 who walk or bike to school decreased from 42% in 1969 to 16% in 2001. This can be partially attributed to safety. The City of Cedar Rapids has recognized this issue and determined the need to enhance the safety for students to walk and bike to school as well as find programs to encourage this type of activity. The Safe Routes to School program and adult crossing guards help to increase the safety for children to walk and bike to school.
School Routes
Safe Routes to School is a federally funded program designed to enable community leaders, schools, and parents across the United States to improve safety and encourage more children, including children with disabilities, to safely walk and bike to school. The City of Cedar Rapids is carrying on the goals of this program through the School Routes Initiative. The intent is to designate the best routes to elementary and middle schools, enhance the safety on those routes, and educate students and parents of these routes.
Walking School Bus
A walking school bus (WSB) is a group of students walking to/from school with two or more adults. Schools around the City have successfully begun WSB programs. They are fun and provide many benefits including promoting a healthy lifestyle, teaching traffic safety, developing social skills, and reducing traffic congestion among many others. If you are interested in learning more about a WSB and/or want to get one started at your school, please click on the link to learn more about it!
School Bus Passing Laws in Iowa
The following graphic depicts the laws in the state of Iowa for passing a school bus.
Report a concern or request regarding school routes or adult crossing guards or call Traffic Engineering: (319) 286-5802.
Contact Us
Office Location:
Public Works Department
City Services Center
500 15th Avenue SW
Cedar Rapids, IA 52404
Phone Number: (319) 286-5176
Fax Number: (319) 774-5653
Office Hours:
Monday - Friday
7:30 AM - 4:30 PM
Email: traffic@cedar-rapids.org
After Hours:
If you need immediate assistance to report malfunctioning traffic signals, traffic sign repairs, or deficient construction traffic controls, please call the Police Department Dispatch at (319) 286-5491
