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Students plan route Oct. 3 by foot and
bike
By Melody Geraci
In American society, it seems like we have a dedicated day for everything.
In a quick Internet search, I discovered such 2007 notables as Bubble
Wrap Appreciation Day (Jan. 29) and National
Iguana Awareness Day (Sept. 8).
So one might question the ability of a one-day event
celebrating walking and biking to school to capture the attention
of the information-saturated public.
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| Students from Briar Glen Elementary in Wheaton
participate in International Walk and Bike to School Day in
2005. |
But I can testify to the transformative powers of
International Walk
and Bike to School Day. Walk and Bike to School Day occurs on
the first Wednesday in October every year — Oct. 3 this year.
On that day, millions of children, parents, teachers and community
leaders across the globe walk or bicycle to school. It is an energizing
event, reminding adults and children alike of the simple joy of
walking or biking to school.
It also serves as an opportunity to focus on the importance of physical
activity, safety, air quality and walkable communities. The event
can be surprisingly inexpensive; many communities don't spend any
money organizing the event, or they contact local businesses to
donate snacks for participants.
I've witnessed how Walk and Bike to School Day activities can become
a catalyst for ongoing efforts to increase safe walking and bicycling
all of the time.
Want to bring International Walk and Bike to School Day to your
area? For more information, visit www.walktoschool.org.
Melody Geraci is the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation Safe Routes
to School Director.
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