Walk to School Day is an opportunity for adults to join children in Alaska, and throughout the world, to walk, on this day. Before winter sets in, walk with your child to see how walking to school really is with them. Is it safe? Where is it not safe? Why?
As the adventure begins, search the internet about Walk to School day. What are children in other states doing? What are kids around the world doing? What looks like fun? What looks safe? How can I be "more safe" as I try to walk or bike to school?
The goal of the Safe Routes to School Program is to encourage kids to walk and bike safely to school, where it is safe. And where it's not safe, make it safe.
Join others in walking to school with your child and be a part of learning how to make our community "more safe."
Safe Routes to School
Safe Routes to School (SRTS) programs are sustained efforts by parents, other community members, community leaders and local, state, and federal governments to improve the health and well-being of children by enabling and encouraging them to walk and bicycle to school.
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In July 2005, Congress passed federal legislation that established a national Safe Routes to School program. The program dedicates a total of $612 million towards SRTS from 2005 to 2009.
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In May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School was established to assist communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The National Center for Safe Routes to School is maintained by the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration.
- Many communities launch Safe Routes to School programs as a result of Walk to School events.
About Walk to School
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In 2006, more than 5,000 schools in the United States are estimated to participate in International Walk to School Day. Approximately 4 million people from 40 countries will participate (see next section).
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Starting in 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center serves as the National Coordinator for Walk to School events in the USA. The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center, also part of UNC HSRC, has filled this role since the event began in 1997.
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In 2005, registered participation in International Walk to School Day increased 44 percent compared to 2004.
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Organizations supporting International Walk to School Day in the U.S. include America Walks, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, the Federal Highway Administration, the Institute of Transportation Engineers, the National Center for Bicycling and Walking, the National Center for Safe Routes to School, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, Safe Kids Worldwide, and the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.
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The Partnership for a Walkable America founded Walk to School Day in the United States in 1997 and began with two events in two cities: Chicago and Los Angeles.
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Canada and Great Britain already had Walk to School events in place. Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States joined together in 2000 to create International Walk to School Day. Over 2.5 million walkers were estimated to have participated.
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International Walk to School Day received the Stockholm Partnership for Sustainable Cities Award in June 2003 from the King of Sweden.
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The 2005 International Walk to School Award was received by Morton Way Public School in Brampton, Ontario, Canada for their “Morton Way Walk and Roll” program. The program combines weekly “Walking Wednesdays,” a parent-led “walking school bus” program, walking club cards for the students and a campaign to reduce traffic surrounding the school.
| More Information! |
| Safe Routes
to School Program Guide - www.saferoutesinfo.org/guide Walk to School Day - www.walktoschool.org Alaska Walk To School Day - dot.alaska.gov/saferoutes/walk |
