Did you walk or bike to school when you were young? Thirty years ago over 66% of all children walked to school (1). Walking or biking to school gives children a taste of freedom and responsibility, allows them to enjoy the fresh air and the opportunity to get to know their neighborhood, while arriving at school alert, refreshed and ready to start their day. Yet today, only 13% of America’s children walk or bike to school (2).

Recent studies show that 20-25% (3) of morning automobile traffic is generated from parents driving their children to school. This has caused increased traffic congestion around schools, prompting even more parents to drive their kids. Our transportation choices impact our children, our health and our communities.

Health: There are many good reasons for children to be walking and biking to school. It gives them the exercise that they need and, by reducing traffic, everyone benefits from a cleaner environment. Public health officials agree that everyone should accumulate 30 minutes of physical activity every day and children need another 20 minutes of vigorous activity several days per week. Yet 78% of young boys and girls fall short of this goal.

Safety: Children are not learning simple traffic safety. Of the leading types of pedestrian crashes 33% are due to dart-outs — pedestrians entering traffic mid-block, often from between parked cars. Look at “Six Simple Steps to Staying Safe” below.

Environment: The threat to our environmental health is even greater. Motor vehicle use is now generally recognized as the source of more air pollution than any other single human activity.

Community: Improving neighborhoods so that they are safe for children to bike or walk to school will make them safer and more enjoyable for everyone. COAST advocates for well-planned, healthy communities that encourage walking, bicycling and transit for access to all daily needs.

1. US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

2. Marin County Congestion Management Agency

Six Simple Steps to Staying Safe:

• When walking, stop at every curb or edge.
• Always look and listen, especially while crossing. Look left; look right; then left again, before stepping past any curb or edge.
• Always wear a helmet when riding a bike.
• Always ride in the same direction as traffic.
• Know what signs say. When walking or biking, follow all traffic signs and signals.
• When riding a bike, always stop; look left; look right; then left again before pulling out of a driveway.