Walk to School Day: What's next? How about walking, biking every day. Here's how . . .

We just had a successful International Walk to School Day in Missouri.  Thousands of students walked to school today as part of organized Walk to School events, and more events will be happening throughout October, International Walk to School Month.

Lots of students, parents, and teachers were re-introduced to the joy and simplicity of walking to school--like we did when we were kids.

Walk to School Day

So what's next?  Can we make walking to school an every day habit for kids--or even a once or twice a week habit?

Here are some resources to help you take the next step:

• Start a Walking School Bus in your neighborhood--it's easy, simple, and fun
• Start a Bike Train--the neighborhood bikes to school
• Examples of Walking School Buses and Bike Trains--how they work in real neighborhoods

Did you notice anything missing on your walk to school?  Sidewalks that need fixing--or that are just missing--crosswalks that need to be repainted or made in the first place? How about a busy street that needs a crossing guard?

It's a great student project to put together what students noticed on their Walk to School into a simple report.  Then turn the report in to the city.  

Many schools have made big improvements starting with a simple request from the kids.

• Write a simple report.  Tell the story of Walk to School Day and what the students notice was missing.
• Include a map, showing the location of problem spots, missing sidewalks and crosswalks, dangerous crossing points, and so on.
• Include some photos of the problem areas.
• Contact your own city council member, mayor, or city public works department and ask for 30 minutes for the students to come and present their report

You'll be surprised what a difference you can make in your community!

This is what happened at Alma Shrader Elementary in Cape Girardeau after their first Walk to School Day in 2005:

Our first year's event attracted lots of attention from city leaders. In fact, over one mile of sidewalks were retrofitted in the school's neighborhood in time for the following year's event! Children love walking to school, and have requested doing a walk to school day in the spring, too. That excitement has led to the launch of a Walking School Bus program, too.