Skip the Car: Walk & Wheel To School

Kids, families and school staff are encouraged to take part in International Walk and Wheel to School Month in October.

The City of Vernon is promoting the event which highlights the benefits of active travel to school, with suggestions people can do it for a day, a week, or the entire month.

The City’s active transportation coordinator Angela Broadbent says the event highlights the benefits of active travel to school.

“They can ride a bike, they can roller-blade, they can use their scooter. Whatever moves them.”

Broadbent says the City will be hosting celebration stations at Okanagan Landing (Oct. 13) , Ellison (Oct. 4) and Harwood (Oct. 5) schools for participating students during October.

“Students can come in the morning before school to receive little treats and incentives for walking to school, and we’ll also do a draw for more prizes,” Broadbent tells Kiss FM.

Studies show only 24% of Canadian students currently walk to school, and only nine percent meet recommended daily activity levels.

“Many parents and grandparents of today’s elementary school students will remember walking or biking to school as children,” says Broadbent. “Today, more students are being driven to school, leading to decreased physical activity, increased traffic danger around schools, and increased greenhouse gas emissions.”

International Walk and Wheel to School Day is Wed, Oct. 4.

Among the schools taking part will be Ellison Elementary.

You can get more details here.