Sept. 28, 2019

When I was young, I remember walking to school and yes, in the snow.

Jan Nelson

It was a great social time as all the neighborhood kids set out together and talked about our activities, friends and topics that were important to elementary school kids. And then I was put on a bus to junior high. There was nothing wrong with the bus, but I missed the time with neighborhood kids walking together to school and getting valuable exercise. Now as fewer students walk and bike to school, a National Walk and Bike to School Day is being held on October 2, 2019 to encourage exercise and safety.

Lee’s Summit believes in a community that promotes safe access along and across Lee’s Summit streets for all citizens, including motorists, bicyclists, pedestrians and transit riders. That’s one reason why Lee’s Summit loves National Walk and Bike to School Day. The other reasons are:

  1. It gets our kids moving.
    Active kids become active adults which promotes good health and good exercise habits. Being active every day is just one way to promote healthy families. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends that children and adolescents get one hour or more of physical activity each day.
  2. It keeps safety of our streets as a priority.
    By focusing on bikers and walkers, Walk and Bike to School Day reminds our community the importance safe pedestrian pathways. Biking or walking to school, gives kids opportunities to practice safe riding and pedestrian procedures. If you are organizing your neighborhood for the national walk and bike day, the CDC recommends an adult per child ratio of 1:3 for children under 10; 1:6 for children over 10. Ensure adults are at the start and end of the walking or biking group, and confirm that students have basic transportation safety knowledge.
  3. It’s growing! Last year was the largest Walk and Bike to School Day in history.

There are currently 2969 schools registered nationwide with our own Meadow Lane Elementary in Lee’s Summit as one of those already registered. Get your school on the list by talking with your school to enroll at the national website: http://www.walkbiketoschool.org

Enjoy the National Walk and Bike to School Day with your children, neighborhood and school.

This article was submitted by Jan Nelson, who is a member of the Livable Streets Advisory Board. The Livable Streets Advisory Board is a Mayor-appointed, volunteer board whose goals include working to make our community and our streets more “livable”, safe and accessible for all of our citizens.

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