Walk & Roll To School Day

The Active Transportation Alliance encourages Chicagoans to skip the drive and self-propel themselves to their destinations. On October 6 they’re joining other organizations around the world to get students to join in on the action. Walk and Roll to School Day takes place on October 6, with activities as elaborate as parades and bike give aways or as simple as offering coffee and pastries to parents who join their children. You can see a list of participating Chicagoland and Illinois schools on the Walk To School website.

The idea is not only environmental, but also to foster a habit of physical activity. To make it as easy as possible, the Alliance offers these tips:

• Reduce the distance if it’s too far to walk between home and school. Find a location one-quarter to one-half a mile from school that will allow you to park your car while you walk with your child.
• Count the miles you walk or bike. Many schools ask students to track the number of miles they walk each day. The winning student/classroom can compete to win a prize.
• Teach your kids traffic safety while walking and bicycling with them. Once students get older, they will be able to use that information and be safer when traveling.
• Work with other parents in your neighborhood to take turns leading the kids and organizing a “walking school bus” or a “bike train.”
• Use the time spent walking and biking to school to bond with your children.
• Make it fun. Organize a Walk and Roll to School Day on International Walk to School Day, or expand your efforts by starting “walking/biking wednesdays.” 
• Organize your efforts. If parents in surrounding neighborhoods are leading walking school buses or bike trains, map your routes and provide set meeting times for students to join.