Why Safe Routes to School Matters

Only one generation ago, most children walked to school. Today, only one in ten children walk to school regularly…

The effects of this trend are not hard to come across. Nationally, since the mid 1960's rates of childhood obesity have increased exponentially from 4% TO 16%, while the number of walking and bicycling trips made by children have fallen by 65%.

Walking to school has countless benefits:

• Increases the amount of time devoted to physical activity, which helps reduce a child's risk of obesity and various associated health problems.
• Improves concentration and increases alertness, like all physical activity.
• Enhances safety in the area around the school by reducing traffic.
• Makes children more self sufficient, an important part of developing social skills.
• Empowers children to contribute to the environment, by traveling pollution-free.
• Encourage children to learn about and get to know the neighborhood and community members.
• Provides a great opportunity to develop healthy life-long habits of enjoying physical activity.
• Is the perfect opportunity for family quality time!

Watch a video about the importance of Safe Routes to School:

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_videos.cfm

Download a powerpoint presentation about the importance of Safe Routes to School:

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_presentations.cfm

Download Safe Routes to School Talking Points in English and/or Spanish:

http://www.saferoutesinfo.org/resources/marketing_talking-points.cfm