More than 40 schools statewide are participating in International Walk to School Day Oct. 8 to encourage students, parents, teachers, community members and organizations to get out on sidewalks and trails. The event is anticipated to draw participation from more than 4,000 schools from all 50 states, plus Washington, D.C., and Puerto Rico, as well as 40 countries around the world.

This event is an opportunity for families with children who typically ride a school bus, and who live in areas with bike friendly paths to school, to walk and bike to school. Many schools participate by arranging for school buses to drop off students at a nearby park or other safe locations to finish the trip on foot. The drop-off option also can be used for students who are usually driven to school in private vehicles.

“Participating with school children emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity, teaching pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and building connections between families, schools and communities,” said Nicole Campbell, Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School coordinator.

To get involved, register for the event at www.walkbiketoschool.org. The site includes useful information for parents and participating schools. Data collected from registrations will be used to improve future programs.

To encourage students to continue to walk and bike to school, schools and youth organizations can use the new pedestrian and bicycle safety curriculum written and distributed by the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota. The interactive curriculum features pedestrian and bicycle lessons that meet Minnesota teaching standards. For more information, go to bikemn.org/education/srts-education-curriculum.

“International Walk to School Day” builds on Minnesota’s ongoing effort to provide Safe Routes to School for all children. Gov. Mark Dayton and the Minnesota Legislature invested $500,000 in the Safe Routes to School program to support training, planning and outreach activities for children and families. And in 2014, Gov. Dayton and the Legislature invested $1 million in Safe Routes to School infrastructure projects to improve safety and expand opportunities for children to walk and bicycle to school.