The Colorado Department of Transportation is inviting students to ditch cars and walk to school on Oct. 2 as part Colorado Pedestrian Month, or \u201cWALKtober.\u201d<\/p>\n
As part of CDOT\u2019s Whole System Whole Safety program, students at schools across the state are encouraged to walk to school as a way of promoting and practicing pedestrian and road safety. Colorado Walk to School Day was established as part of the International Walk to School Day program in 1997.<\/p>\n
More than 40 countries participate in the day, including more than 150 schools in Colorado \u2014 some taking more creative approaching to the event.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe are having 100% staff and student participation for Walk to School Day this year,\u201d said Michelle Mueller, a physical education teacher at Beattie Elementary in Fort Collins, in a release. \u201cWe are having a whole-school 1-mile Buddy Walk to start our day. Following the walk, the entire day is dedicated to wellness with six break-out sessions for students and staff to attend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Organizers are encouraged to register their schools at #ColoradoWalksToSchool as a way of tracking participation, and showing support for healthy lifestyles and safe transportation.<\/p>\n
This year there is also a special training webinar series being offered on topics such as slowing down traffic near schools and promoting road safety. The webinar series will be available at WalkBikeToSchool.org.<\/a><\/p>\n