The 7th October signifies International Walk to School day. The day promotes the fact that walking and bicycling to school is fun, healthy, promotes a cleaner environment, promotes safety and has clear community benefits. As we know, all around the world, many children do not make it school. In fact over 500 children are killed everyday on the world's roads. We encourage you to celebrate International Walk to School Day by signing the Child Declaration for Road Safety to #SaveKidsLives
Watch "Safe to Learn" by Richard Stanley commissioned by the FIA Foundation
International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.
Promoting International Walk to School day has many benefits including:
Remember the thrill of riding a bike for the first time or walking to school that first day?
There’s a feeling of joy and independence —a sense of adventure—that doesn’t fade. When walking or biking, parents and children get to appreciate things they don’t notice while driving—listening to the sounds of the neighborhood, seeing friends and neighbors and feeling connected with their community. Parents, children and friends can enjoy one another’s company without the usual distractions.
Walking and bicycling events celebrate these experiences and help make them possible for others. They bring schools and communities together for a common purpose. Most of all, they are fun!
We don’t usually walk to school, but after today we found out that it’s not that far. Now we plan to walk more often because it’s fun and safe! – Parent, California
Walking and bicycling to school enables children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity. In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer and stroke.
I love Walk to School Day. It makes less pollution in the air. It is healthy for you. – Student, California
When families decide to lace up their sneakers or strap on their bike helmets to get to school instead of riding in a car, they help reduce the amount of air pollutants emitted by automobiles.
The best part of the walk was walking for safety to help make the children’s walk to school a safe pathway and to teach them the importance of this event. – PTA Safety Committee Member, Utah
Many of the ways in which children can be safer on the way to school is highlighted in the Child Declaration for Road Safety.
My favorite part of Walk to School Day was seeing so many families and people from our community come together to enjoy a safe and healthy morning walk to school. – Parent, Ohio
The whole community benefits from efforts to enable and encourage more children to walk or bicycle to school safely. Benefits include: