{image1}Whatever happened to walking to school?
According to the Department of Transportation, far more children ride in a car or bus to school than walk or bicycle, even if the trip is under one mile, and less than one percent of children ride bicycles to school, a decrease of more than 60 percent since the 1970s.
A new program called Safe Routes to School hopes to change these statistics and get more kids pounding -- and riding -- the pavement.
Children, parents and staff of six pilot schools and one pilot employer are actively participating in the Safe Routes to School program to increase physical activity among children (physical inactivity leads to obesity, diabetes and asthma), teach safe walking and driving skills, ease traffic and improve the environment around schools.
Recently, Safe Routes to School conducted "walking workshops" at each pilot school to provide ideas and techniques for encouraging the school community to walk and bike. These workshops provided a forum for parents, school personnel, law enforcement officials, city planners and engineers, and representatives from neighborhood associations to discuss community design and safety hazard improvements.
During these workshops participants conducted a "walking audit" by strolling the streets to identify changes that need to be made to increase pedestrian safety such as adjusting the timing of stoplights, installation of street lighting, repainting crosswalks and widening sidewalks.
Additionally, Safe Routes to School strives to educate students about the correct time and place to cross streets and the use of bike helmets. The program also aims to educate motorists about safe and appropriate driving habits.
The Milwaukee Police Department is playing a key role by enforcing traffic laws such as the speed limit and yielding at crosswalks and by maintaining a presence in the neighborhoods during key commute times to reduce fear of crime and increase overall security. They are also working to establish "safe spots" along routes such as churches, libraries and homes where children can go if they run into dogs, abductors or bullies along the way.
The schools involved in the program are Forest Home Avenue School, Westside Academy II, Browning School, Hopkins Street School, Anna F. Doefler Community School and Sherman School. The pilot employer is the City of Milwaukee.
The Safe Routes to School program was funded by a grant from the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration and is being coordinated by the Milwaukee Police Department.
Call Maurice Williams of the Wisconsin Partners for Clean Air for more information at (414) 263-8517.
