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More than 170 Minnesota schools and thousands of students are expected to participate in 28th annual Walk to School Day on Wednesday, according to the Minnesota Department of Transportation.

This annual event, sponsored by Minnesota Safe Routes to School, encourages students and parents to try out a new, healthy habit that increases their physical activity and strengthens connections between families, schools and communities.

State law requires all public-school students to learn safe walking and bicycling skills at the beginning of the school year.

“Thanks in part to that law, Walk to School Day is more important than ever,” said Kelly Corbin, MnDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator. “Safe walking is a lifelong skill, and MnDOT has resources to help schools meet this new rule and help make Walk to School Day a success.”

Students don’t need to live near their school to participate. Anyone who typically rides the school bus or takes a family vehicle can participate through a “bus stop and walk” event where participating schools designate a drop-off location within a half-mile from the school and volunteers help supervise the walk and assist with crossing streets.