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About Walk 2 School
Chronic Disease & Injury Prevention — Walk 2 School Day
What is "International Walk to School Day"?
During the first Wednesday in October,
neighborhoods all around the world will celebrate Walk to School
Day. Internationally, thousands of children, adults and
community leaders from communities across the United States and
over 30 other countries including Mexico, South Korea, India and
Great Britain, walk and bike to school together to raise
awareness about:
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The importance of teaching children
safe walking and bicycling behaviors, such as how to
cross streets, and how to select safe routes to school.
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How easy and enjoyable walking is!
Adults and children spend healthy, active time together
doing the world’s simplest exercise-walking.
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Taking specific steps to create more
walkable communities such as advocating for more
crosswalks, sidewalks, crossing guards and better driver
behavior
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Promoting a healthier environment
with less traffic congestion, air pollution, and speeding at
or near schools.
Why should children walk to school?
 Not so long ago, children roamed their
neighborhoods on foot or bicycle almost as a rite of passage.
Today, moms and dads drive their kids to nearly all activities,
fearing for children’s safety from both crime and traffic. The
once common sight of children walking and cycling has vanished
in many communities. Today, only 13% of all trips to and from
school are by foot or bicycle. *With fewer kids on foot or bike,
there are more cars on the road. Parents driving their children
to school make up 20-25 percent of the morning commute. **The
more traffic increases, the more parents decide it is unsafe for
their children to walk or bike, adding even more cars to the
morning chaos.
You can help break the cycle. A new movement is emerging that is
getting children back on their feet and onto their bikes again.
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California Department of Health Services
California Safe Routes to School Clearing House |
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