In the Community

October 1, 2010

Kaiser Permanente Supports International Safe Routes to School Day on Oct. 6

Walking to school is healthy for kids, it’s good for the environment and it’s a great way to catch up with neighbors. There are so many reasons to participate in International Safe Routes to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 6.

More than 2,800 communities across the United States — and in countries around the world — will take part in International Safe Routes to School events during the month of October.

“If you have kids, I encourage you to walk or bike with them to school that day. It might be the start of a new routine for your family,” says Loel S. Solomon, PhD, vice president, community health, Kaiser Permanente. “Whether or not you have kids, International Walk to School Day is a great time for us all to consider what we must do to make sure all our communities are safe and easy places to walk, bike and take public transit.”

Walkability Checklist
For many of us, walking is the easiest exercise, but it isn't always convenient or safe. Sidewalks may be in poor condition or non-existent. Traffic along your walking route could be hazardous. Signal lights may not stay on long enough to safely cross the street.

Did you have room to walk?
Was it easy to cross the street?
Did drivers behave well?
Were you able to follow safety rules?
Was your walk pleasant?

* The Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center developed this checklist with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation.

Dr. Solomon adds: “As you know, these forms of ‘active transportation’ are good for our health, good for the planet and a great way to reconnect with our neighbors.”

Consider this startling fact: In 1969, about 50 percent of young people walked or biked to school; today, that number has plummeted to 13 percent.

Since 1997, communities across the country have been celebrating Walk to School Day. In 2005, federal legislation established a National Safe Routes to School Program that provided $612 million towards creating safe routes programs over the subsequent five years. As a result, more than 4,500 schools in all 50 states and the District of Columbia have been awarded funding for Safe Routes to School activities.

For more information, visit www.walktoschool.org.