The annual event, which began in 1997, highlights the benefits of students walking, bicycling and rolling to school. Active commutes to school can help students strengthen their friendships with one another, but there are also health benefits, including increased physical activity, better air quality and improved safety.
Some students may live too far to walk to school. There are still opportunities for them to participate if they get creative. WalkBikeToSchool.org offers a few examples, such as parking at a location near a school where students can meet and walk or roll together. They could also hold a parade and have students meet close to school and take a celebratory stroll to school. Involving others, such as local officials or even the band, could draw more attention.
Last year, elementary and middle schools from across the North Texas region participated, and the North Central Texas Council of Governments directly coordinated with 20 campuses to distribute promotional materials and host a bike raffle. Almost 1,000 entries were received for the four bikes raffled off.
This year, NCTCOG is coordinating with 24 campuses to help with their Walk to School Day events. There is still time to organize an event if your student attends a school that is not officially sponsoring one. NCTCOG makes resources available to help plan events.
Lights Out Texas is a campaign to turn off lights at night between 11 p.m. and 6 a.m. during spring and fall wildbird migrations to help protect nocturnally migrating birds.
