A group in Staunton is trying to make it safer for students to walk and bike to school at McSwain Elementary.

Right now, there is no sidewalk in front of or beside the school, which makes it difficult for students to get to school safely.

The school is applying for a grant that will add about 600 feet of sidewalks and 700 feet of bike paths around the school.

These additions will make the walk or bike ride much easier and safer for students that live nearby.

"I ride, weather dependent," says Andrew Koehn, the student representative on a school committee working with the Central Shenandoah Valley District Planning Commission. "I think it's a good idea, because we have problems with conjunctions in the back, and in the front from buses and cars, and it's going to be interesting."

The committee is still in the pre-planning stage for the grant. It hopes to find out by the end of May if it is eligible.

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