On Wednesday, October 5, schoolchildren from all 50 states will join thousands across the world who are making the commitment to lead healthier lifestyles by walking or bicycling to school on International Walk to School Day.

There is encouraging evidence that more and more schools are holding Walk to School Day events as catalysts to getting kids up and active all year long. 

In fact, this year there are 38 schools registered in Brevard County.

This is the largest number of schools ever reported as participating in Walk to School Day events.

Walking and bicycling to school can benefit children in a variety of ways. A number of parents and teachers have commented that children arrive more alert and ready for the day when they walk to school. 

Public health officials have pointed to physical activity and safe places to walk and bicycle as factors in curbing the obesity epidemic among America’s youth.

In addition to physical activity, Walk to School programs emphasize the importance of other issues such as pedestrian safety, traffic congestion surrounding schools and concern for the environment.

It is an energizing event, reminding everyone of the simple joy of walking to school, the health benefits of regular daily activity and the need for safe places to walk and bike. 

The idea is to walk to school together with a purpose – to promote health, safety, physical activity, a sense of community and concern for the environment.

The 2011 event marks the 14th International Walk to School Day. The event began in the U.S. with one school in Chicago in 1997 and has grown to more than 5,000 schools in the U.S. worldwide. 

Walkers in the US will join children and adults in 40 countries around the world.

Brevard’s Walk to School events are conducted as part of Safe Routes to School programs – sustained, community efforts to improve the health and well-being of children by making walking and bicycling to school safer, easier and more enjoyable.

Established in May 2006, with funding from the Federal Highway Administration, the National Center for Safe Routes to School assists communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. 

The Center strives to equip Safe Routes to School programs with the knowledge and technical information to implement safe and successful strategies.

The Center serves as the coordinating agency for Walk to School activities in the U.S.