In 1997, The Partnership for Walkable America (PWA) saw a real need to address issues of childhood obesity, youth and pedestrian safety, local congestion and environmental degradation due to vehicle traffic. The Partnership implemented the Walk to School Week program throughout the country. Walk to School Week originated in Great Britain and was formed with the following goals in mind:
International Walk to School (iWalk) was started in one community in Great Britain in 1994 and quickly spread to towns across the United States and the world. Participants in iWalk can be found in over 30 countries and 18 states. PWA launched iWalk USA with an event in Chicago that brought together local officials, residents, youth, educators, law enforcement officials and senior groups. In New Jersey alone, 25 communities held local walks in 2004 to help combat rising concerns over obesity and inactivity in their towns.
The target audience for iWalk is youth and their families. It is an attempt to give families other options, not only for active lifestyles, but for time management and resource conservation. Typically iWalk events take place in schools and the surrounding communities. Activities can range from a kick-off event on the school premises to predetermined walking plans for all involved. Usually events are held over the course of a week, informing citizens of the safety issues pedestrians’ face and introducing them to easy walking routes in the community to inspire daily walking. Events can also be a single occurrence, used simply to raise awareness of pedestrian safety and to outline alternate ways students can get to school.
According to iWalk USA, there are three easy steps to get your own Walk to School Week off the ground:
1. Get Partners
Principal, Police, Parents – Successful events have the support and participation of the principal, police and parents. Ask them to be partners. The principal can give the school’s commitment, while the local police department is a valuable resource and will ensure that safety is a priority. Parents add energy and enthusiasm and make the walk work.
Public Officials – Most often the municipality has jurisdiction over the streets around schools. Schools have gotten sidewalks fixed and new trails built in record time because of partnerships with public officials and other community leaders, such as mayors and city council members. Walk to School celebrations give leaders the opportunity to publicly support health, environment and safety initiatives, so consider finding ways to involve them.
2. Plan
Work with partners to plan the celebration. Together, decide what type of event fits your school and community then choose a focus for the walk, such as promoting physical activity or pedestrian safety. Determine whether the event will last one day or a week. Local businesses may be willing to sponsor the walk by providing refreshments or small gifts for participants.
3. Promote
Advise students, parents and others how to participate. Making announcements at school, publishing school newsletter articles and sending flyers home are just a few ways to get the word out. Posting signs along the route a few days before the event will raise community awareness. Business sponsors may want to hang signs in their stores.
Media coverage of the event brings visibility to the event’s purpose and any changes that need to be made to make it safer for kids to walk and bike to school. When the media reports on your event, they can help spread the word of the great health, safety, environmental and social benefits of more children walking to school every day. Colorful signs held by smiling, walking children and adults creates a perfect photo opportunity.
In 2003, an estimated 3,000 schools in all 50 states plus the District of Columbia participated in Walk to School Week to promote being active and making communities friendlier for walking and bicycling.
Communities across the country are successfully using Walk to School Week to increase awareness, build vital community coalitions, identify barriers and solutions and generate support for permanent change. Walk to School Day is credited with playing a critical role in getting model legislation passed in California that directs significant transportation funding to Safe Routes to School programs at the local level.
NJ iWalk Examples
There have been several towns and counties throughout New Jersey that have held successful iWalk events. Please see the Mayors Wellness Campaign’s website to read these success stories and to pick up tips on how to hold your own iWalk event.
www.walktoschool.org/iwalkusa.cfm
USA website for International Walk to School events. Includes promotional and educational materials useful to Walk to School coordinators
www.walkableamerica.org
Partnership for a Walkable America (PWA) is a national coalition of government agencies and non-profit organizations working to improve conditions for walking and those who walk regularly. Provides a checklist to assess the walkablity of a community and information on awards for pedestrian enhancement projects
www.iwalktoschool.org
International Walk to School with extensive resources for organizing Walk to School events and links to the websites of participating countries
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/kidswalk/index.htm
Kids Walk to School website maintained by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Includes lessons plans, brochures and other material that may be used to promote walking and biking to school
