It started as a one-day event in 1997, spread into all 50 states in the United States including Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico, and is now a global event that takes place in over 40 countries.  Parents and students, mark your calendar for International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 8, 2014.

International Walk to School Day is an event that helps promote year-round, safe routes to school for students.  It was originally organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, with a goal of bringing awareness for the need of safe and walkable communities.  The success of Walk to School Day even created a need for a Bike to School Day, which became a reality in 2012.  Bike to School Day is in May, which coordinates with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month.

Communities and schools are promoting the Walk to School Day as a way to encourage parents and students to get healthy, help create a cleaner environment, promote safety and to just have fun!

Even if students live too far away to walk to their school, there are ways that schools, communities and parents can participate in the event.  Designated starting points, such as a park or home near the school, can be a place to meet before walking to school as a group.  Parents are also encouraged to talk to their child's school to set up walks during a recess or part of a class activity.

Although Walk to School Day is focused more on walking and Bike to School Day is focused more on bicycling, both days encourage students to be safe and become more active going to school.

 

More From KYBB-FM / B102.7