International Walk and Bike to School Day: October 4, 2006

In neighborhoods all around the world, the first Wednesday in October means Walk and Bike to School Day. In the United States and over 30 other countries including Mexico, South Korea, India and Great Britain, adults and children will walk to school together to raise awareness about:

» The importance of teaching children safe traffic behavior, such as how to    cross streets and how to select safe routes to school.
» How easy and enjoyable walking is.  Adults and children spend healthy,    active time together doing the world’s simplest exercise – walking.
» The need for better driving behavior to create a more friendly environment for    walking and biking to school.

Walk and Bike to School Day events are both educational and fun.  Simple Ideas:

» Advertise Walk and Bike to School Day in your newsletter, calendar, at staff meetings, and daily announcements
» Create a walking treasure hunt where students find everyday landmarks around the neighborhood.  Check out this lesson plan for ideas!    
» Have teachers give certificates to students who walk or bike on that day
» Plan a brief walk around the school with students who ride the bus as well as students with disabilities, so that everyone gets involved

Classroom Activities

» Invite Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors to your school for in-classroom presentations on safety (use the form on the back of this    page)
» Have students create their own street signs or posters about why walking and biking are good forms of transportation
» Have students create a map of their route from home to school
» Check out lesson plans and games!

The Chicago Department of Transportation provides a complete toolkit for those interested in organizing more events for Walk and Bike to School Day. The toolkit is divided into 5 steps, with resources at each step. Download the toolkit!  Mayor Daley’s Safe Routes Ambassadors can help answer questions.

When your school decides to participate, sign up at www.WalkToSchool.org.  Have fun!

Complete Walk to School Day toolkit