Walk Safely to School Day (WSTSD) is an annual, national event when all Primary School children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school. It is a Community Event seeking to promote Road Safety, Health, Public Transport and the Environment. It will be held throughout Australia on Friday 23 May 2014
The website explains that the objectives of WSTSD are:
- To encourage parents and carers to walk to school with primary school age children and reinforce safe pedestrian behaviour.
- To promote the health benefits of walking and help create regular walking habits at an early age.
- To ensure that children up to 10 years old hold an adult's hand when crossing the road.
- To help children develop the vital road-crossing skills they will need as they become mature pedestrians.
- To reduce the car dependency habits that are being created at an early age and which will be difficult to change as children become adults.
- To promote the use of Public Transport.
- To reduce the level of air pollution created by motor vehicles.
- To reduce the level of traffic congestion.
Walk Safely to school day is a brilliant opportunity to set up a 'walking school bus' in your neighbourhood!
Estimated CO2 Saving: 83kg per month (1,000kg per year)
How to …
A lot of us make extra trips to drive our children to and from the school or kindergarten because we are concerned about road safety and other security issues.
An alternative that some parents have pioneered is a 'walking bus', with volunteers sharing the role of 'guides' and picking up neighbourhood children along the way as they walk to school together.
How to do this activity
1. You can take the initiative in talking to other parents, grandparents who live nearby, and teachers about putting together a 'walking bus' for your local area
2. If you want to set up a 'walking bus' in your own area you can use the 1 Million Women campaign online discussion rooms to look for others to join in.
3. Please report back to our campaign if you do this activity because we love the 'walking bus' concept and want to promote it wherever we can.
Why is it important?
This activity builds community bonds as well as helping action against climate change.
Any tips on setting up a walking school bus? Share them in the comments below!
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