Rohnert Park Families Encouraged To Walk, Roll To School Wednesday

ROHNERT PARK, CA — The Rohnert Park Department of Public Safety is encouraging parents and students to join their classmates and walk or roll to class this Wednesday.

"Walk And Roll To School Day" is held annually nationwide to highlight the benefits of exercise and practice pedestrian and road safety with other students, families and caregivers.

"National Walk and Roll to School Day is a great opportunity for families to get outside and get moving together," said Rohnert Park DPS Lt. Adam Strongman. "Walking, biking, skateboarding or scootering to school not only provides exercise, but it also helps promote the importance of safe routes to schools."

Rohnert Park DPS offers tips for students who walk, bike or roll to school:

• Plan your route on roads with sidewalks or paths away from traffic. If there are no sidewalks, walk or ride as far from cars as possible, facing traffic.
• Use crosswalks, preferably at stop signs or signals. If there are unmarked crosswalks, cross at corners on streets with fewer lanes and lower speed limits.
• Always look left-right-left before crossing the street. Continue to scan for traffic as you cross the street.
• Watch for cars entering/leaving driveways or parking spaces.
• Always wear a helmet when riding or rolling.
• Be aware of your surroundings. Keep earbud or headphone volume low enough so you can still hear around you.

Drivers should be extra careful and anticipate more foot and bike traffic Wednesday morning, Oct. 4, as well as be prepared to stop for school buses and children crossing the street. Drivers should always watch their speed and slow down in school zones, police said.

Schools are encouraged to register at Walkbiketoschool.org to track participation and show support for active, healthy and safe transportation. As of Monday night, there were 269 schools in California registered to participate.

Funding for this program is provided by a grant from the California Office of Traffic Safety through the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.