Walk and Roll to School

Walk and Roll to School Day is October 3, 2007

October 1-5 is International Walk and Roll to School Week. This is a wonderful way to start changing many behaviors for the better; for our future, our children's future and the future of the planet. Walk and Roll is an international event with over 30 countries participating this year. While it is promoted once a year during October, many schools continue to participate in walk and roll events throughout the year.

This fun event can be a small independent one where a family participates by the simple act of walking to school. Even parents who normally drive their children can participate by parking a few blocks away from the school campus and walking the rest of the way. This can be built upon and expanded to include a group of friends to a classroom to an entire school. Even the small steps each one of us makes helps make a difference in the many problems that car dependence brings.

When the school year begins it is estimated that Santa Rosa's morning traffic increases by 30 percent. Not only does this bring headaches to all who have to deal with the traffic, the idling cars create additional pollution, the increased traffic makes for more dangerous roads and sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and getting chauffeured around everywhere in the cars is contributing to a nation of overweight kids.

But we worry about strangers harassing our kids. We worry about all the cars they encounter. There is an answer for the folks who would like to walk all or part of the distance to school; it is called a "walking school bus'' or "bike train.'' Parents supervise and pick up kids as they walk or ride to school. The pick-up spot could be a home or a bus stop. The idea is safety in numbers: more people, more kids, better visibility.

October 3 is International Walk to School Day and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is helping schools throughout Sonoma County to organize ``Walk and Roll to School'' events.

If you would like to get your school involved please contact SCBC board member Tim Gonzales at tiburcio(at)sonic.net.




				Walk and Roll to School Day is October 3, 2007 October 1-5 is International Walk and Roll to School Week. This is a wonderful way to start changing many behaviors for the better; for our future, our children's future and the future of the planet. Walk and Roll is an international event with over 30 countries participating this year. While it is promoted once a year during October, many schools continue to participate in walk and roll events throughout the year. This fun event can be a small independent one where a family participates by the simple act of walking to school. Even parents who normally drive their children can participate by parking a few blocks away from the school campus and walking the rest of the way. This can be built upon and expanded to include a group of friends to a classroom to an entire school. Even the small steps each one of us makes helps make a difference in the many problems that car dependence brings. When the school year begins it is estimated that Santa Rosa's morning traffic increases by 30 percent. Not only does this bring headaches to all who have to deal with the traffic, the idling cars create additional pollution, the increased traffic makes for more dangerous roads and sidewalks for pedestrians and bicyclists, and getting chauffeured around everywhere in the cars is contributing to a nation of overweight kids. But we worry about strangers harassing our kids. We worry about all the cars they encounter. There is an answer for the folks who would like to walk all or part of the distance to school; it is called a "walking school bus'' or "bike train.'' Parents supervise and pick up kids as they walk or ride to school. The pick-up spot could be a home or a bus stop. The idea is safety in numbers: more people, more kids, better visibility. October 3 is International Walk to School Day and the Sonoma County Bicycle Coalition is helping schools throughout Sonoma County to organize ``Walk and Roll to School'' events. If you would like to get your school involved please contact SCBC board member Tim Gonzales at tiburcio(at)sonic.net.
		Get involved! International Walk and Roll Site Download files California Walk to School Headquarters Five a Day Powerplay Safe Kids Coalition Call 707-545-0153 for more information!