Walking buses are groups of children who walk/bike
designated routes to school under adult supervision, picking up kids along the
way just like a bus. For some neighborhoods, it's a casual group walk/ride,
while others set up a formal plan with adults scheduled to walk on certain
days.
Such a great idea!
In my humble opinion too many kids are driven to school
everyday. (Obviously there are many
factors and some locations/circumstances where walking/biking would not work but it’s worth exploring, perhaps
seasonally.)
The benefits of a program like this seem almost endless:
- Encourage physical
activity by teaching children the skills to walk safely, how to identify
safe routes to school, and the benefits of walking.
- Raise awareness of
how walkable a community is and where improvements can be made.
- Raise concern for
the environment.
- Reduce crime and
take back neighborhoods for people on foot.
- Reduce traffic
congestion, pollution, and speed near schools.
- Share valuable time with local community leaders, parents, and children.
National Bike to School
Day is May 7th, 2014 and National Walk to School Day is
October 8th, 2014 this may be the perfect time to connect families and launch a walking
bus or bike train in your community.
