School is in session, and getting students to and from home in a safe, timely manner is essential to a healthy learning environment. Students grow, learn and eventually graduate from one school to another. In Gahanna, Ohio the students are growing and maturing, as is the Safe Routes to School program.

THE TREE TRUNK

Next week, the City of Long Beach will host Pro Walk Pro Bike, a multiday conference that will bring together advocates from across the country.

Advocates for Safe Routes to School and active transportation have long recognized the health impacts of our transportation system. The transportation decisions we make – or worse, the opportunities many people lack because of barriers in the built environment – can have beneficial or detrimental effects on our health. During an inspiring week at the Pro Walk Pro Bike Pro

We frequently hear about successful programs getting more youth bicycling and walking to school. But behind those programs are one or more dedicated people, often teachers that make it happen. Pat Davidson is one of them.

In Safe Routes to School we see countless examples of elementary schools led by passionate adults and fanatical students that knock walking and bicycling out of the proverbial park – but, as a movement, I believe we struggle to connect as frequently and in meaningful ways around active transportation with both middle and high school age students.

International Walk to School Day was celebrated on October 3, and all of October is designated as Walk to School Month. Nationally, more than 4,200 schools have registered events on the International Walk and Bike to School (IWALK) website, a 10 percent increase over last year!