Evidence of Changes Brought about by the Michigan Sage Routes to School Program

Abstract

This paper describes changes in student and parent beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors resulting from participation in the Michigan Safe Routes to School program. All 50 states are receiving federal funds to implement programs and build infrastructure that encourages school-aged children to walk or bike to school. This research applies a modified model of the Theory of Planned Behavior, which aims to explain the relationship between beliefs, attitudes, intentions, and behaviors. Specifically, 20 schools were evaluated pre-program and post-program using attitudinal and behavioral data collected from students and their parents, as well as classroom tallies for daily transportation behaviors. Findings show positive changes in student and parent attitudes and beliefs, while changes in intentions or behaviors were minimal. These results represent an early step forward in improving the ability of school-age students to walk and bike to school safely. We believe that affecting intentions and behaviors is a long-term process that requires the continued collaboration of students, parents, school officials, and community leaders.