International Walk to School Day is on October 2, 2019!
About Walk to School Day
International Walk to School Day is a global event that involves communities from more than 40 countries walking and biking to school on the same day. It began in 1997 as a one-day event. Over time, this event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school and a celebration – with record breaking participation – each October. Today, thousands of schools across America – from all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and Puerto Rico – participate every October.
Promote Road Safety in Your Communities
Communities celebrate Walk to School Day for a variety of reasons, but safety is always at the core. This year, use your event to promote the importance of walking and biking safety for the entire community, starting with the trip to school. Take action using one or more of these ideas to connect your event to broader community safety goals.
- Motivate your elected officials! Invite your mayor to walk or bike as part of your event. Ask him/her to speak. Let them know that child pedestrian and bicycle safety is an important issue community-wide, not just on the route to school. Ask them to sign the Mayor’s Statement on Safe Walking and Biking for Youth
- Engage local transportation officials. Ask them to walk with you and a few parents and students to examine safety concerns on walking and biking routes. Ask them what their department does to protect children.
- Empower students to take the lead in identifying safety issues that are important to them. They may want to create messages to display on the day of the event or present a request for safety improvements to the local city council or county commission.
- How about selfies with a message? Raise awareness by taking pictures of students with the mayor, principal or the crossing guard holding signs with special messages. Create your own safety messages or use one of our downloadable signs that promote safety and spirit. Post them on social media and tag us on Twitter @walkbikeschool.
- Seek media attention and have a message that resonates for your community. Check out these key messages. Share the messages with media and other stakeholders on the day of your event.
- Find out about Vision Zero, a road safety effort being adopted by a growing number of communities. Vision Zero communities embrace the goal of eliminating all traffic deaths and serious injuries. Is your community considering it or already has a plan? (If you’re unsure, try an internet search for “vision zero” and your community’s name or ask your transportation official). If yes, ask how children’s safety is being included in that plan.
- Check out the Vision Zero for Youth initiative, which encourages cities to prioritize safety in places where children walk and bike. Starting with youth can be the catalyst to build community support for Vision Zero, but this initiative can either be part of Vision Zero plans or stand alone.
Plan and register your Walk to School Day event here!
