Reps. Scholten, Bresnahan Introduce Bipartisan Bill to Make Routes to School Safer for Children
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, U.S. Representatives Hillary Scholten (D-MI-03) and Rob Bresnahan (R-PA-08), bipartisan members of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, introduced the Kids on the Go Act that would make it safer and easier for children to walk and bike to school across the country.
“As the first mom to represent West Michigan, I know that no family should have to worry about their child’s safety on the way to school,” said Rep. Scholten. “That’s why I’m proud to partner with Rep. Bresnahan on this bipartisan effort. Keeping kids safe isn’t a partisan issue, it’s just the right thing to do. The Kids on the Go Act gives states the tools they need to keep kids safe while promoting healthy, active lifestyles for our children.”
“The Safe Routes to School Program is a worthwhile approach to keeping our children and their communities safe,” said Rep. Bresnahan. “I’m proud to introduce the Kids on the Go Act with my colleague Rep. Scholten. This bipartisan legislation is an investment in the children of Northeastern Pennsylvania by incentivizing safe bike paths and walking routes to improve the safety of our neighborhoods.”
The Kids on the Go Act strengthens the highly successful Safe Routes to School program by lowering the financial barriers for states to participate more fully in the program’s safety initiatives. Michigan and Pennsylvania are national leaders in the Safe Routes to School program, making this bill a direct investment in the safety and well-being of children in both representatives’ districts. The program has been proven to reduce traffic accidents involving children, increase physical activity, and improve neighborhood safety. By lowering the cost burden for states to employ program coordinators, the Kids on the Go Act ensures this program remains strong and expands to benefit more communities nationwide.
“Safe Routes Partnership applauds the leadership of Representative Scholten in championing this important legislation,” said Marisa Jones, Managing Director of Safe Routes Partnership. “Michigan’s strong Safe Routes to School program–supported by a dedicated statewide coordinator–has been a model of success, helping reduce traffic injuries and fatalities while building stronger, connected communities where kids and people thrive. This bill would help other states follow Michigan’s lead, ensuring every child can walk and bike to school safely.”
“When neighborhoods are safer and more walkable, people are more active–and that means a lower risk of heart disease and diabetes,” said Mark Schoeberl, Executive Vice President of Advocacy of the American Heart Association. “The Kids on the Go Act of 2025 would strengthen the Safe Routes to School program, helping families access safe, active ways to get to and from school. This proven initiative can reduce traffic crashes by up to 44% and returns $4.40 in health and safety benefits for every $1 invested. The American Heart Association applauds Reps. Scholten and Bresnahan for championing healthier, safer communities where everyone can live a longer, healthier life.”
“In Coopersville, we are seeing firsthand how Safe Routes to School funding from the Michigan Department of Transportation can transform our community. It strengthens collaborative relationships and connects neighborhoods, making it easier and safer for kids to walk and bike to school,” said Kate Terpstra, Marketing & Economic Development Administrator and Safe Routes Coordinator for the City of Coopersville. “Representative Scholten’s bill to expand Safe Routes to School nationwide is a smart investment in the health, safety, and well-being of our children. When it’s safe for children, it’s safe for everyone. We’re proud to support this effort and look forward to seeing even more communities benefit from this impactful program.”
“With a dedicated statewide coordinator housed within the Michigan Department of Transportation, Michigan has built one of the strongest statewide Safe Routes to School programs in the country. Michigan has long recognized the value of investing in Safe Routes to School programs to improve health and safety benefits for children and families in communities statewide,” said Michigan Fitness Foundation. “We support Representative Scholten’s bill known as ‘Kids on the Go Act of 2025’ and remain available to share Michigan’s experience to help other states create safer, healthier environments for walking and biking.”
“At the League of Michigan Bicyclists, we’ve seen the powerful impact Safe Routes to School can have in communities across Michigan. These programs make it safer, easier, and more equitable for kids to walk and bike to school,” said Jeffrey Carek, Interim Executive Director, League of Michigan Bicyclists. “This bill reflects a forward-thinking approach that lowers barriers for states like Michigan to implement and expand Safe Routes to School. We support this legislation and are grateful to Rep. Scholten for recognizing the importance of this work to make safe, active transportation more accessible for families and leading the charge to strengthen it in Michigan.”
“Since 2012, the Crim Fitness Foundation has relied on generous, forward-thinking, and practical programs like Safe Routes to School to help rebuild Flint, Michigan's neighborhoods in ways that support the safety and independence of children and their families. Our work in Flint has led to the creation of dedicated teams in a dozen schools—including neighborhood elementary schools, magnet schools, and our citywide high school. These teams are the driving force behind the progress we’ve made and continue to sustain it,” said Cade Surface, Director of Urban Strategies of the Crim Fitness Foundation. “Representative Scholten’s leadership in introducing this bill is a vital step forward in helping communities like Flint continue this important work and expand its impact across Michigan and the nation. We’re proud to support this effort and grateful for her commitment to building safer, healthier communities for all Michigan families.”
The bill would reduce the non-federal cost share for states that hire a full-time Safe Routes to School coordinator from the current 20 percent down to just 5 percent. These coordinators play a critical role in developing and maintaining safe infrastructure, education programs, and community engagement efforts that protect children as they travel to and from school. States like Michigan and Pennsylvania, where dedicated coordinators are already in place, have seen firsthand how this investment leads to safer, healthier, and more connected communities. Coopersville, Michigan, has been a trailblazer in developing safe routes for children, and this bill will encourage other communities to make similar investments for the next generation.
The bill’s bipartisan support reflects a shared recognition of the importance of child safety and infrastructure investment that meets the needs of both urban and rural communities.
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