The Connecticut Department of Transportation (ConnDOT) announced Thursday that its Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program's second "Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut!" contest will be launched on International Walk to School Day, to be observed Wednesday, Oct. 6.
The news release continues:
Elementary and middle school classrooms across the state will compete to log the most miles walked and/or biked to and from school.
The Walk It Bike It to School contest was developed to promote a healthier lifestyle, while encouraging schools and communities to establish safe and convenient biking and walking routes. The contest challenges students to walk or bike to school, logging their mileage online as a classroom. Teachers or other school faculty can register their classes online and track their progress at www.walkitbikeitct.org. All Connecticut public and private schools with grades K-8 classrooms are invited to compete in this contest.
Elementary and middle schools are also encouraged to apply for free SRTS non-infrastructure program assistance to support walking and biking initiatives for their students. Schools can apply online with a choice from a list of offerings, including SRTS plan development, walk audits and bicycle rodeos. For more information, visit www.walkitbikeitct.org.
This year, for the first time, SRTS invites the public to pledge to walk or bike to school. The "Walk It Bike It" pledge will be available at www.walkitbikeitct.org and at select partner locations, including Hartford Marathon Foundation events, Fleet Feet Sports and Whole Foods Markets. Students can sign the pledge individually, allowing them to personally commit to walking and biking to school.
Last year, participating students from 17 Connecticut classrooms logged nearly 11,000 miles. Students walked and biked to school, formed walking school buses within their communities and looked for alternative ways to continue a healthy lifestyle.
"We are looking forward to launching the second annual Walk It Bike It to School, Connecticut! Contest to encourage more students and families to make healthy choices in their lives while promoting safe walking and biking in Connecticut." says , Connecticut's Safe Routes to School coordinator Sharon Okoye.
Midway through the school year, the first class that walks and bikes the distance of the perimeter of Connecticut, 375 miles, will be recognized.
On May 19, 2011, all participating schools will be invited to attend the celebratory "Walk the Capitol Steps" ceremony at the State Capitol to recognize the three student groups that walked and biked the farthest distance.
Registration and a list of rules and regulations are available at www.walkitbikeitct.org .
What is Safe Routes to School?
The SRTS Program was established in August 2005 as part of Safe, Accountable, Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users (SAFETEA-LU). The objective of this federally funded initiative is to encourage more students in grades K-8 to walk and bike to school, as opposed to using other transportation alternatives; thereby encouraging a healthier lifestyle. General program information is available on the Connecticut SRTS website: www.ctsaferoutes.org. Questions can be forwarded to the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Okoye, via e-mail at sharon.okoye@ct.gov.
Thursday, September 30, 2010
Tuesday, September 21, 2010
International Walk to School Day!
Walk to School Day is Wednesday, October 6!
International Walk to School Day and Month began as an idea
In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago, modeled after the United Kingdom’s lead. Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.
It evolved into a movement
By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking grew just as quickly as the event itself.
Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.
Now it’s a priority
In 2005, new legislation recognized the value of Safe Routes to School programs and is providing funding for States to establish programs. Politicians and other government officials are paying attention to the importance of safe walking and biking to school. Obesity, concern for the environment and the effects of urban sprawl on communities has led to the joining of efforts among those that care about these and other related issues like school siting and traffic congestion.
Communities are using the walk or bike to school as the first step to change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and biking to school:
To enhance the health of kids Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
To improve air quality and the environment Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
To create safer routes for walking and bicycling Sidewalks, education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve conditions.
This type of event would clearly fit into our goals with the PHC childhood obesity grant - I know October 6th is only 2 weeks away but does anyone want to spearhead this? Maybe it could be as simple as dropping the kids at the end of the school driveway and having them walk up to the school on that day for this year? There are 10 communities in CT participating already - can we be number 11?
E-mail Karen or me and let us know if you're interested in taking the Walk to School challenge on!
For more info or program ideas: http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm
International Walk to School Day and Month began as an idea
In 1997, the Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day in Chicago, modeled after the United Kingdom’s lead. Back then, it was simply a day to bring community leaders and children together to create awareness of the need for communities to be walkable.
It evolved into a movement
By the year 2002, children, parents, teachers and community leaders in all 50 states joined nearly 3 million walkers around the world to celebrate the second annual International Walk to School Day. The reasons for walking grew just as quickly as the event itself.
Whether your concern is safer and improved streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day events are aimed at bringing forth permanent change to encourage a more walkable America — one community at a time.
Now it’s a priority
In 2005, new legislation recognized the value of Safe Routes to School programs and is providing funding for States to establish programs. Politicians and other government officials are paying attention to the importance of safe walking and biking to school. Obesity, concern for the environment and the effects of urban sprawl on communities has led to the joining of efforts among those that care about these and other related issues like school siting and traffic congestion.
Communities are using the walk or bike to school as the first step to change community culture and create environments that are more inviting for everyone, young and old. Here are some reasons to support walking and biking to school:
To enhance the health of kids Increased physical activity can combat a host of health problems facing kids today.
To improve air quality and the environment Replacing car trips to school with walking or bicycling can help reduce air pollution.
To create safer routes for walking and bicycling Sidewalks, education programs and traffic calming measures are some of the ways to improve conditions.
This type of event would clearly fit into our goals with the PHC childhood obesity grant - I know October 6th is only 2 weeks away but does anyone want to spearhead this? Maybe it could be as simple as dropping the kids at the end of the school driveway and having them walk up to the school on that day for this year? There are 10 communities in CT participating already - can we be number 11?
E-mail Karen or me and let us know if you're interested in taking the Walk to School challenge on!
For more info or program ideas: http://www.walktoschool.org/index.cfm
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