The recent International Walk to School Day saw a collaboration between Los Amigos Elementary School and Rancho Cucamonga’s (RC) own RC Safe Routes to School Program.
On October 7, about 350 students and an array of adults participated in the event, where students were encouraged to walk or ride their bikes to school.
Children lined up in an arrangement similar to how they would be on a school bus and were led by teachers, parents, and other helpers. These “walking school buses” left from designated “bus stops” and made their way to Los Amigos Elementary School.
According to the National Partnership to Safe Routes to School, research shows that a scant 14% of 8-14 year-old students walk to school. In the fight against childhood obesity, increasing activity levels is half the battle, and research shows that a greater degree of cardiovascular fitness is found among children who walk or bike to school.
The Healthy RC Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program is a national movement aimed at increasing walking and biking to school. This is accomplished by bringing stakeholders together to locate potential safety issues and addressing them.
Funding for SRTS programs has been used to create new sidewalks and access points, as well as bicycle and skateboard racks. Moreover, the program conducts workshops to educate students on safe walking and biking practices.
Literature supplied via brochure printers can increase support for SRTS by pointing out benefits beyond those of increasing physical activity for students, such as reduced traffic congestion around schools and less air pollution.
