Oct. 5 is International Walk and Bike to School Day

I am always excited to participate in Bike to Work day.  And was excited when my son was old enough to start biking with me.  Of course, the most dangerous traffic situation probably happens to be within 2 blocks of any school.  During the beginning and end of the school day, parents seem to check common sense under their seats - and illegal traffic maneuvers are astoundingly abundant: illegal u-turns; illegal parking; failing to yield; failing to stop; illegal right turns.  Perhaps as a part of Walk or Bike to School day Arlington will station additional officers near schools in order to promote the safety of the pedestrians.

For Immediate Release:

Thursday, September 29, 2011

For more information, contact the Dept. of School and Community Relations at 703-228-6004 www.apsva.us

  

 APS Encourages Families to Walk and Bike to School

October is “International Walk or Bike to School Month,” and on Wed, Oct. 5 (rain date: Oct. 12), Arlington Public Schools will participate by encouraging parents to walk and bike to school with their children.

“Walk and Bike to School Day” is part of a month-long celebration that encourages students around the world to walk and bike to school, while teaching them about the health and environmental benefits of walking and biking.

Some of the benefits of walking and biking to school include keeping children healthy and strong as well as teaching them how to safely navigate streets in their neighborhood. Walking also helps students stay alert in class and provides quality time with parents and friends.

APS hopes to raise community awareness about the importance of pedestrian safety, safe routes to schools, well-maintained walkways, and traffic calming in our neighborhoods and around schools.

For 13 years, APS and Arlington County have collaborated on this initiative, which includes creating walk-friendly neighborhoods throughout the community.

Most APS elementary and middle school parents received a letter from the Superintendent detailing Walk and Bike to School Month, along with a map that shows includes crosswalks and stop lights near the school their children attend. The map gives parents an opportunity to show their children which routes to take to and from school.

All maps are available on the APS website at www.apsva.us/schoolwalkmaps. Other community resources are available at www.walkarlington.com and www.bikearlington.com.