Put down those car keys and lace up those walking shoes, October 4th is International Walk to School Day and you’re invited! This global event began in 1977 and now involves over 40 countries around the world. Administrators, teachers, students, and parents alike walk and bike to school for this event that encourages communities to pollute less and promotes safer neighborhoods.
Why walk?
- It’s fun!
- Spend quality time with your children
- Get your family more active with daily walks
- Less traffic congestion leads to a safer community
- Fewer cars on the road can reduce air and water pollution
- Car oil, antifreeze and grease leaked onto streets flows into storm drains
- Car exhaust contributes to pollution that decreases air quality and contributes to global warming
How to be safe when walking
- Learn about the Safe Routes To School program, that helps provide safe paths for children to walk or bike to school
- If you’re not joining your child on their walk to school, map out their route with them to make sure they’re taking a safe and direct route
- Minimize street crossings and when available, use ones with a crossing guard
- Coordinate with neighbors to have kids walk together both to and from school
If you’re interested in participating in or putting on a Walk to School Day event you can contact your school to see if they are already participating. You can also check out this link: http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/ . And remember, just because October 4th is International Walk to School Day, doesn’t mean that EVERY day can’t also be! Make walking or biking to school a habit and you’ll be sure to notice a difference in yourself, your community, and the environment.
