Students at 62 Sonoma County schools geared up and walked or rolled to school on Wednesday, October 8 in celebration of annual International Walk & Roll to School Day.
Approximately 6000 — close to 30% of students — walked or rolled to school for the event, about double the number of students who walk, bike or scooter to school on a regular basis.
To encourage participation, 35 schools organized meet up spots and routes for walking school buses and bike trains. Children can walk or ride to school in groups led by parents, teachers and sometimes school administration, encouraging kids who may not normally walk or bicycle to school to join the fun. Walking school buses and bike trains not only help build community, they offer the benefit of additional safety in numbers.
The benefits of choosing student-powered transportation to school are numerous, and our Safe Routes to School Program staff works diligently year round to collaborate with partner schools to encourage active transportation on a regular basis, and also to educate students and families about how to do so safely. Check out www.sonomasaferoutes.org for more information.