Will More Kids Be Walking to School?

For years, health experts have recommended that kids walk or bike to school to improve their physical fitness. National and international programs focus on getting kids to walk to school and creating a safer walking environment to encourage it. But families are often resistant. Now, high gas prices are reportedly leading to schools cutting bus service for areas considered to be in walking distance of the school. However, they expect the immediate result won't be more kids walking to school, but more parental cars clogging the streets to transport them "safely" to school.

Much parental fear of walking to school is stranger danger. This is blown out of proportion, as the vast majority of crimes against children are perpetrated within the family or by people trusted by the family. Traffic danger is a real problem in areas that lack sidewalks or where children must cross busy streets. I love the idea of the Walking School Bus, where children join in a group of other children and a responsible adult to walk together to school, just like waiting for the school bus. The adult is able to enforce good pedestrian habits and supervise the kids. It would be great to see more parents walking their children to school rather than driving them - it would be healthy for the whole family! By not being physically active each day, your child and you are exposed to a highly increased risk of obesity, diabetes, heart disease, and even cancer.
The Dangers of Not Walking