October is Walk to School month, and tomorrow is International Walk to School Day! The forecast for the AM commute is partly sunny (okay, the weather app says partly cloudy, but we’re in a glass half full kinda mood), making it a great morning to get those walking shoes on and get the day started with some fresh air.
Walking (or biking) to school helps kids be more attentive in class and gives them a better understanding of traffic safety. Exercise also results in physical and mental health benefits. #winwinwin
When you’re walking, make sure to follow these safety tips:
- Look both ways and over your shoulder (for turning vehicles) and make eye contact with drivers before crossing
- Pay attention and put your phone down before you cross
- Hold your little ones hands as you cross
If you’re driving, be mindful that there may be more kids walking to school. Remember the speed limit in school zones and on all residential streets is 20 MPH. Sloooow down. And keep your phones and other distractions at bay. No matter how you’re getting around, let’s look out for each other and help Seattle reach our Vision Zero goal of ending traffic deaths and serious injuries by 2030.
Parents, we’ve got lots resources to help you get your kids out the door and to school safely:
- Consider starting a walking school bus with neighbors (BONUS: this means you might be off the hook for daily drop offs – you can share the love with other parents)
- Request free swag to encourage kids to walk and bike to school – what kid doesn’t want stickers and temporary tattoos?
- Apply for a mini grant (Oct 1 – 31) and get up to $1,000 toward activities that support education and encouragement efforts to get more kids walking and biking to school
- And of course, learn all about our Safe Routes to School program
Shout out to all the kids walking and rolling into school (and yeah, high fives to tiny transit riders) – keep it up!