Will Your Children Be Participating in International Walk to School Day Wednesday?

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Students, parents, school officials and others are being encouraged to take part in International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7.

MassDOT Secretary & CEO Stephanie Pollack made the announcement Tuesday that the event is being presented by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School Program aimed at promoting a healthy and active lifestyle for students by encouraging them to walk and/or bike to school. Additionally, iWalk seeks to curb traffic congestion in communities, which can lead to improved air quality throughout the Commonwealth.

“iWalk is a great way for students, parents, and teachers to increase their level of community engagement,” said MassDOT Secretary & CEO Stephanie Pollack in a statement issued Tuesday. “By walking or riding a bike to school on October 7th, community members across the Commonwealth share the common goal of a healthier Massachusetts.”

Last year, Massachusetts had one of the highest registration rates in the entire country, with 50,000 students participating from 280 schools throughout the Commonwealth. These students joined millions of other individuals not only across the United States, but in 40 countries around the world.

By partnering with schools across the Commonwealth, SRTS is able to highlight the importance of pedestrian and bicycle awareness. With the help of teachers, administrators, and other stakeholder partners, SRTS holds over 80 pedestrian safety and 60 bicycle safety educational workshops each year, along with hundreds of encouragement and informational events with elementary and middle schools. Through the culmination of these events, iWalk puts into practice the safe behaviors students learn through participation in SRTS.

SRTS, sponsored by the Massachusetts Department of Transportation and with funds from the Federal Highway Administration, promotes safer routes for students to get to and from school by fostering partnerships between advocacy groups, law enforcement, education leaders, and public health departments. The program currently serves more than 700 schools in more than 180 communities across the Commonwealth.

To find out how your school can participate in iWalk, contact Safe Routes to School Statewide Coordinator Erin Reed at 857-368-8648 or email at Erin.Reed@state.ma.us. You can also visit www.Mass.gov/MassDOT/SafeRoutes.

For transportation news and updates, visit the MassDOT website atwww.Mass.gov/MassDOT and the MassDOT blog at www.Mass.gov/blog/transportation. You can also follow MassDOT on Twitter atwww.twitter.com/MassDOT