Arcata Elementary to Celebrate International Walk and Bike to School Day on October 10

From the City of Arcata:

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Arcata, CA – The City of Arcata Building & Engineering Department announced today that Arcata Elementary School (AES) will be joining students around the world to celebrate International Walk and Bike to School Day.

Walking, biking and rolling to school promotes concern for the environment, health, safety and equity by making it possible for all children to get to school under their own power. To celebrate International Walk and Bike to School Day, students, parents, teachers and community leaders will be walking, biking and rolling to school as part of the comprehensive Safe Routes to School (SR2S) program, made possible with funding from California’s Active Transportation Program (ATP).

Funding received for the SR2S program is providing education and encouragement programs for students and parents in addition to making infrastructure improvements near AES. The goal of the program is to increase pedestrian safety and the number of students walking and bicycling to school. Infrastructure improvements are underway and are scheduled to be completed in Fall 2019.

SR2S will provide AES second graders with pedestrian safety lessons so students have the opportunity to learn and practice their safety skills before International Walk and Bike to School Day. Plus, later this year the program will provide instruction to fourth graders on bicycle safety. Fourth grade curriculum will include preparing bicycles for a safe ride and the importance of wearing helmets to prevent traumatic brain injury.

International Walk and Bike to School Day is Wednesday, October 10, and AES students are encouraged to walk, bike or roll to school from home if determined safe by their parents and caregivers.

For students who wish to participate that live too far to safely walk or bike to school, a student meet-up location has been designated at Westwood Murphy’s Market. Students may be dropped off before school at 7:30 a.m., so they can walk, bike or roll the rest of the way alongside school staff and adult volunteers. Participating students must wear a helmet and bring their own road-ready bicycle or alternative means of transportation needed to roll to school. Staff will be on hand to ensure proper helmet fit and provide helmets to students in need. Reflective safety vests will also be distributed to students to wear during their ride to school.

For more information about local Safe Routes to School programs, visit humboldtsaferoutes.org. To learn more about Safe Routes to School in Arcata, please contact the City of Arcata Building and Engineering Department at 707-825-2173.