Children don't walk to school as much as they used to, mainly because of safety concerns, such as speeding motorists, fear of abductions, a lack of sidewalks, and unsafe street crossings. Many experts think that children not walking to school is one of the many factors that has lead to an increase in the number of overweight school aged children.

Each year, to 'promote health, safety, physical activity and concern for the environment,' children and parents all over the world observe International Walk a Child to School Day. This year the event is being held on Wednesday October 2, 2002.

Will you be participating with your children?

Is there a Walk to School Day program in your area?

You can check the Walk To School Event Calendar to see Who's Walking and to see if a Walk to School Day is being observed in your area.

Last year, over 600,000 parents and children walked to school together on Walk a Child to School Day.

If there isn't a program in your area, it is not to late to start one. Review the resources on the Walk to School Day website, prepare a proclamation or press release, print flyers and distribute to them to parents and schools in your community.

Before starting a Walk to School event or allowing your own children to walk to school, you do want to make sure that your neighborhood is 'walkable.'

To test your neighborhoods walkability, you should take a walk with your child along the route that he or she would take to school. Among the questions you should ask yourself, and included in the Walk to School Walkability Checklist, about your child's route to school include:

• Did you have room to walk?
  
  
• Was it easy to cross streets?
  
  
• Did drivers behave well?
  
  
• Could you follow safety rules?
  
  
• Was you walk pleasant?
  
  

If you neighborhood isn't very walkable, you should take steps to improve your community and make it safer for your kids to walk to school. Problems might include a lack of sidewalks, crosswalks or traffic signals, or too much traffic.

For More Information:

• 2002 Walk to School Initiatives booklet - an 8 page booklet to help you learn more about Walk to School Day
  
  
• Safe Routes to School - information about promoting safe routes to school
  
  
• Walking School Bus - Learn about starting a walking school bus in your area. 'A walking school bus provides children with a safe and healthy mode of transportation to school. The idea is simple. The designated adult supervisor "picks up" each student, house by house, on foot. The group of students walk to school together along a set route, all the while enjoying fresh air, exercise and friendly conversation.'
  
  
• Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center - information about walking and biking safety
  
  
• Kids on the Move -walking and biking safely (kindergarten to grade 3)
  
  
• Play It Safe -walking and biking safely (toddlers & preschoolers)
  
  
  

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