Skip to content
  1. Home
  2. Local News

Walk and Roll to School Day is October 9

Event emphasizes the importance of pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment
SooLeader Staff
school kids
Stock image

NEWS RELEASE
MICHIGAN DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
*************************
Michigan students will join children from around the globe to celebrate National Walk and Roll to School Day (WR2SD) on Wednesday, October 9. Started in 1997 by the Partnership for a Walkable America, WR2SD has grown to an international event that takes place in over 40 countries worldwide.

The 28th annual WR2SD event is being promoted in Michigan by Safe Routes to School (SRTS) at Michigan Fitness Foundation (MFF), a federally legislated program administered by the Michigan Department of Transportation (MDOT).

SRTS programs are designed to make it safe, convenient, and fun for children and their families to walk, roll, and bike to school. As a component of SRTS programming, the event emphasizes the importance of pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. When routes are safe, walking, rolling, or biking to and from school is an easy way to commute and get the regular physical activity children need for good health. Safe Routes to School initiatives help ease traffic jams, reduce air pollution, and unite neighborhoods.

Every school or community can engage in a wide range of activities on WR2SD, such as recognizing local champions or school groups during the event. The event also offers an opportunity to bring students, parents, and school staff together with the larger community and community stakeholders. Last year, over 140 Michigan schools registered for the event. To see if your school has registered for the event, search here.

You can share your Walk and Roll to School Day photos, videos, or even an artistic representation of your experience by tagging us on social media using these handles:

Download these Walk and Roll to School Day files to plan your event:

Visit the official Walk/Bike to School website for many more resources, including event ideas, planning tips, templates for flyers and press releases, talking points, and more.

*************************