New Kids on the Go Act Boosts School Safety Funding to 95%—If States Hire a Coordinator

The “Kids on the Go Act of 2025” is making a direct play for safer routes to school, and it’s doing it with a classic federal incentive: a huge funding boost tied to one simple administrative task. In short, this bill mandates that every state must designate a dedicated Safe Routes to School Coordinator. If the state hires this person, they get a massive discount on safety projects.

The Coordinator Mandate: Putting a Face on Safety

Currently, the Safe Routes to School program helps fund projects like new sidewalks, bike lanes, and crossing improvements near schools. This bill updates Section 208(g)(3) of the U.S. Code to make the Coordinator position mandatory in every state. Think of this person as the dedicated project manager whose sole job is to make sure kids get to school safely, whether they’re walking, biking, or rolling. For parents, this means there’s a specific person accountable for ensuring those crosswalks and traffic calming measures actually get built and maintained.

The 95% Deal: Federal Funding Gets Generous

Here’s the real kicker and the carrot the federal government is dangling: If a state complies and hires that coordinator, the federal share of the funding for eligible Safe Routes projects jumps dramatically—up to 95 percent. Normally, states have to put up a much larger local match. Under this new rule, the state only has to cover 5 percent of the cost. For a state Department of Transportation planning a $1 million sidewalk expansion near a busy elementary school, this means they save $450,000 compared to a standard 50/50 match, freeing up state money for other priorities.

Real-World Impact: More Sidewalks, Less State Cash

This is a win-win for local communities struggling to fund safety improvements. For a growing suburb or a rural town that needs better infrastructure for its students, this funding structure makes ambitious safety projects suddenly affordable. The bill creates a powerful incentive: hire the coordinator, unlock five times the federal money. The only downside is for states that try to sidestep the requirement; they’ll miss out on the 95% match and have to foot the majority of the bill themselves. Essentially, the federal government is saying, “We’ll pay for almost all of it, but you have to prove you’re serious by hiring the point person.” This approach ensures that the program isn't just about money, but also about dedicated, professional oversight.