Ways We Encourage Walking

Only one generation ago, almost half of all children in the U.S. walked to school. Today, only one in ten children walk to school regularly, with the effects being seen in our communities, and the health of our children and our environment. Nationally, since the mid 1960's rates of childhood obesity have increased exponentially from 4% TO 16%, while the number of walking and bicycling trips made by children have fallen by 65%.

Walking School Bus Program

A Walking School Bus is a group of families living in the same neighborhood, who form a walking group to take children in their area to and/or from school. The parents or drivers take turns walking along a set route to and from school, collecting children from designated “bus stops” along the way. Route schedules are flexible, and are determined by the parents.

How to get started:
Find out if your school already has an existing walking school bus program by clicking on the Individual Schools section of this website.

If your school does not have an existing program, read on:

• Download our walking school bus flier. Click here for a Spanish version.
• Begin to recruit parents at your school that may be interested in forming a walking school bus group. The Safe Routes to Schools Program can provide print materials to help you in your efforts to recruit parents for the program.
• Work with your Safe Routes to Schools staff liaison to schedule a training session to organize routes. The training session will include scenarios of issues that might arise and decisions about how often the group(s) will walk together. Also, at the training session the Safe Routes to Schools Program will provide fluorescent vests, handheld stop signs, whistles, and first aid kits to all parents that will be leading a route. Safe Routes staff can also organize a tabling event at your school to promote the walking school bus program.
• Continue to promote the program at school events and occasional emails. Also you may highlight your walking school bus program through school-wide monthly walk to school days.

Monthly Walk to School Days:

Regular (monthly or weekly) walk to school days are an important way to encourage more children to walk to school, and keep them walking regularly. We offer assistance in crafting your Walk to School Day program, including monthly themes, incentives, and fun activities to keep the students and families motivated.

International Walk to School Day:

The first Wednesday of October marks International Walk to School Day, with millions of children throughout the world celebrating walking and rolling to school. Safe Routes to Schools Alameda County ensures that cities and schools throughout Alameda County are on the map for this international celebration by providing tools, trainings, materials, banners and prizes for any school interested in participating. This activity is an excellent kick off activity for a year-round Safe Routes campaign in your school!

Read more about International Walk to School Day!

Walking to school has countless benefits:

• Increases the amount of time devoted to physical activity, which helps reduce a child's risk of obesity and various associated health problems.
• Improves concentration and increases alertness, like all physical activity.
• Enhances safety in the area around the school by reducing traffic.
• Makes children more self sufficient, an important part of developing social skills.
• Empowers children to contribute positively to the environment, by traveling pollution-free.
• Encourage children to learn about and get to know the neighborhood and community members.
• Provides a great opportunity to develop healthy life-long habits of enjoying physical activity.
• Is the perfect opportunity for family quality time!