Wednesday is Walk and Bicycle to School Day
 |
The activities mark Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day. Established in 2007, the day is a component of the Safe Routes to School Program, which works with students, parents, school staff and local police in 108 communities and more than 294 schools to promote walking and bicycling to school. The goals of the program include improving students' health, reducing traffic congestion, and improving air quality in Massachusetts communities.
Through the Safe Routes to Schools program, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) and MassRIDES provide students, parents, and the school community with education and training on transportation, safety, and health benefits from walking and bicycling to school. Participating schools also qualify for financial support for improvements to sidewalks and other infrastructure surrounding schools.
"Transportation policies can have a tremendous health impact, which is why Health and Human Services partners with Mass DOT to lead the Healthy Transportation Compact," said Health and Human Services Secretary Dr. JudyAnn Bigby. "Through our Mass in Motion municipal wellness grants, 11 communities are promoting active living and healthy eating, which include initiatives like Walk and Bike to School. These are key to promoting wellness for all of our residents."
The Safe Routes to Schools program provides educational resources and safety trainings to participating schools to develop skills in young students to safely walk or bike to school. In addition, the program provides technical expertise to identify and fund infrastructure safety improvements to schools such as sidewalk and traffic calming improvements and on or off-street bicycle facilities and parking to help reduce speeds and increase bicycle and pedestrian access around schools.
According to the governor's office, in 1969, 42 percent of American students bicycled or walked to school, but today, less than 16 percent of children walk or bicycle to classes. Nationally, 19 percent of children age 6-11 years are overweight, more than triple the percentage from 1969. In Massachusetts, almost one-third of high school and middle school students are overweight or obese. And in some communities, school-related traffic can contribute up to 25 percent of morning rush hour traffic volumes, as well as significant air pollution.
Since Massachusetts began Walk and Bicycle to School Day, partner schools have conducted more than 500 walking and bicycling events.
Safe Routes to School is federally funded and administered by the MassRIDES travel options program on behalf of MassDOT. To find out how your school can participate, contact Jennifer Solomon at jennifer.solomon@state.ma.us or visit www.commute.com.
