Elementary and middle schools throughout the metroplex observed the annual “Walk & Roll to School Day” on Wednesday.
Organized by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, a part of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center established in 2006, events held in recognition of the day are meant to promote “safe, active travel” for children across the nation.
The National Center coordinates annual events such as the “Bike & Roll to School Day” in May and the Walk & Roll to School Day in October to advocate for infrastructure supporting children’s safe passage to school and to “examine the relationship between student and parent walking, biking and rolling frequency,” according to the organization’s website.
Held this year on October 4, Walk & Roll to School Day is a one-day event where children across the nation do as the name suggests, walking or rolling (namely on bikes) to school. The event originally started in 1997.
Walking can yield a number of benefits not just for youth but also for adults. A recent study suggested that taking about 4,000 steps a day can lengthen one’s life and lower the risk of death due to cardiovascular disease, an illness commonly associated with obesity, as previously reported by The Dallas Express.
“Active trips to school enable children to incorporate the regular physical activity they need each day while also forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Regular physical activity helps children build strong bones, muscles, and joints, and it decreases the risk of obesity,” explains the Walk, Bike & Roll to School website. “In contrast, insufficient physical activity can contribute to chronic diseases, such as diabetes, heart disease, cancer, and stroke.”
According to the site, 2,537 events for schools across the nation have been registered for this year. About 187 of these events are being held in the state of Texas, with some of these being held in North Texas schools, such as Fisher Elementary in Frisco, Fowler Middle School in Plano, John W. Runyon Middle School in Dallas, Oakhurst Elementary School in Fort Worth, and many more.
“National Walk & Roll to School Day shines a light on the widespread demand for more walkable, accessible places for young people,” said Nancy Pullen-Seufert, director of the National Center, in a press release. “We’re inspired by all of the places taking action to slow traffic and create more space for active travel.”
The next Walk & Roll to School Day will be held on October 9 next year.
