This year kids all over the country will participate in celebrating International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 9, 2013 by joining their friends and neighbors by walking to school that morning.
To register your school or neighborhood click HERE
Walk to School Day began as a simple idea – children and parents, school and local officials walking to school together on a designated day. It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity, and the need for safe places to walk and bike. Schools focus on health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment.
To find out who is walking near you click HERE
WALK TO SCHOOL RULES
- All students should always look both ways and use cross walks when crossing streets.
- All students need to be aware of cars entering or leaving driveways.
- Bicycle riders should always wear helmets, walk their bikes across streets, use appropriate hand signals and ride their bikes in the bike lane.
- Tips for Parents and Other Adults for Teaching Pedestrian Safety to Children, click HERE
Map a Route to school at http://maps.walkbiketoschool.org/
Walk to School Day is an annual event that promotes walking and bicycling for several reasons:
- Physical activity
- Teachings kids safe pedestrian and bicycling skills
- Awareness of how walkable and bikeable the route to school is
- Concern for the environment
- Reducing traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools
- Sharing time with leaders, parents and children
ABOUT INTERNATIONAL WALK TO SCHOOL DAY
Walk to School Day was established in the United States in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America. Canada and Great Britain already had walk to school programs in place. In 2000, these three countries joined together to create International Walk to School Day.
In May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School was established to assist communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bike to school.
The National Center for Safe Routes to School serves as the national coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the United States.
For more information, please visit these websites:
Walk to School Day in the USA http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/
National Center for Safe Routes to School http://www.saferoutesinfo.org
International Walk to School Day http://www.iwalktoschool.org/
