School Active Transportation Program

OVERVIEW

The School Active Transportation Program is a travel training program for young adults. We empower them to travel through transit, biking, and walking because we believe it should not be a limiting factor in their lives. Students in this program learn to safely navigate their communities by riding transit, biking, and walking. By teaching these skills, we seek to empower individuals with disabilities to enter the workforce, seek higher education, and strive for their personal goals.

PROGRAM DETAILS

This program is only open to Special Education students who attend the schools listed below. Students must also be between the ages of 14 to 26 and have a cognitive disability.

  • Jo Brighton Skills Center
  • John Glen High School
  • Lincoln Center
  • Mixter Institute for Transition
  • Riverview Transition Center
  • Sterling Heights High School
  • Taylor Virtual Learning Academy
  • Visions Unlimited Skills Center
  • Wayne Memorial High School
  • Wayne-Westland Transition Program
  • Wyandotte Transition Program

WHAT STUDENTS LEARN

FIXED ROUTE BUSING

November to April

Students learn how to pay for the bus, select a seat, and request a stop. Our goal is for our students to ride buses independently by the conclusion of the program.

BIKING

September, October, May, June

Students learn bicycle skills like balancing, braking, and gear shifting. As they get comfortable, we take them out on rides in the surrounding neighborhoods.

WALKING

Year Round

Walking is an essential part of active transportation. Students will learn how to way-find towards their destination. Additionally, they’ll learn safety and awareness skills.

WHY ACTIVE TRANSPORTATION?

“Transportation is important to me because it allows me to see the world and the community around me. Without any form of transportation, I’d just stay at home.”

COMMON QUESTIONS

What is active transportation?

Active transportation is the act of getting around without the help of a car. Walking, cycling, and riding the bus are forms of active transportation. Knowing how to navigate these options is especially important for individuals with disabilities who can’t obtain a drivers license or consistently secure car transport.

Why do you teach fixed route transit?

The fixed route system is flexible, adaptable, and provides opportunities for independence compared to paratransit (which often requires more planning). While the fixed route system can seem overwhelming and out of reach, our students successfully ride fixed route buses through proper training.

What if I get lost when traveling alone?

This is a big fear but it is important to know that anyone can get lost. What is crucial is knowing how to manage that situation. We’ll teach you to backtrack, understand your surroundings, and use nearby landmarks to find your way back.

HOST OUR PROGRAM

If your school wants to expand its special education programs to include travel training, we want to partner with you!

Schools must meet the following hosting requirements:

  • The school must be located in an area in Oakland, Macomb, and Wayne counties that is serviced by SMART Bus.
  • The school must be a high school or post-secondary program.
  • The program includes instruction in busing, biking, and walking. All three modes of transportation are required.
  • A school staff member that will provide support for the program.

If you’re interested in hosting at your school, please email Katelynn Britton at katelynn.britton@bikeprogram.org