More than 4,000 schools in 49 states, Washington D.C. and Puerto Rico registered their Walk to School Day events on walkbiketoschool.org, according to the National Center for Safe Routes to School (SRTS). Originally organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day began in Chicago in 1997. The event was modeled after the United Kingdom’s walk to school events.
Record participation was achieved in 2013 with more than 4,400 events registered, and today’s totals are on par. In Appleton, Wis., more than 60 schools are participating.
It’s as much about teaching kids how to walk safely to school--by picking a safe route with their parents and how to stay safe on daily walks--as it is about creating healthier communities and reducing reliance on transportation fuels that contribute to negative air quality impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.
Communities around the country are taking bold steps to improve transportation safety and create opportunities for physical activity in ways that help everyone feel a little more connected,” said Nancy Pullen-Seufert, director of SRTS, the coordinating agency for Walk to School Day.
This annual event helped in paving the way for the 2005 establishment of the National SRTS program. Since that time, more than 14,800 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have been awarded federal funds for activities and projects that support safe walking and biking to school. In 2016, SRTS recognized Galax, Va., for its projects, including building sidewalks and crosswalk infrastructure near schools, establishing a bike share for students and creating partnerships that support the SRTS mission.
Learn more about funding on the SRTS website.
For tweets and photos from this morning’s walk, review the Gov1 20th Walk to School Day Tweet Book here and on our Storify.
