South Row Elementary - MA Walk to School Day

South Row Elementary School in Chelmsford will be joining schools from around the Commonweath to celebrate Massachusetts Walk and Bicycle to School Day on May 2, 2012, as part of the Massachusetts Safe Routes to School program. This is the fourth year South Row has participated in the event.  

Last year, more than 200 students from South Row walked or bicycled to school for this event. As a result of participating in the Safe Routes to School program throughout the school year, an even greater number of walkers and bikers are expected for this year’s celebration, including students along with parents, teachers and community leaders.

Safe Routes to School is designed to address pressing transportation and public health issues. In 1969, 42 percent of American students bicycled or walked to school, but today, less than 16% of children walk or bicycle to classes. Nationally, 19% of children age 6-11 years are overweight, more than triple the percentages from 1969. In Massachusetts, almost one-third of high school and middle school students are overweight or obese. And in some communities, school-related traffic can contribute up to 25 percent of morning rush hour traffic volumes, as well as significant air pollution.

Massachusetts established the Commonwealth’s Walk and Bicycle to School Day in 2007.  Since then, partner schools have conducted over 500 walking and bicycling events to celebrate Walk and Bicycle to School Day.

The event is being organized by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program. There are 288 elementary and middle schools across the state working with Safe Routes to School, organizing activities and events to encourage students to walk and bicycle to school.

For additional local information, please contact Jeanne Hayes at 781-858-6879.

For additional information, please visit these Web sites:

Massachusetts Safe Routes to School               www.commute.com/saferoutes

International Walk to School in the USA              www.walktoschool.org              

National Center for Safe Routes to School         www.saferoutesinfo.org

International Walk to School                               www.iwalktoschool.org