Celebrating Active Living: Walk & Wheel Week at Fernwood Elementary

Fernwood Elementary school participated in the 2019 Walk & Wheel to School Week today. The school and organizers were engaging students, teachers and parents in daily health and wellness activities that include walking and riding to school each day. Sean Mulligan, from Outspokin' Bike Shop, Elizabeth FitzZaland from GreenCity Builders and Bob MacKie from Transition Salt Spring, along with many other volunteers were on hand greet all students first thing in the morning. Students had the opportunity to enjoy snacks and treats prepared by the organizers and to sign up for discounted new helmet purchases. Organizers counted 65 bike riders and estimated there were about 40 walkers!

Walk and Wheel to School Week (October 7-11, 2019) is a fun and free week-long campaign that celebrates and encourages students and their families to choose active travel for all or part of their usual commute to school. The campaign includes events, travel tracking, resources and support for schools and parents, including information on the benefits of active travel and prizes for participation.

According to a recent CRD-led school transportation study, almost half of all students in the capital region are currently driven to school—and with the majority of those trips under three kilometers—there is a significant opportunity for more of our region’s youngest residents to enjoy the benefits of active travel.

In our region, on-road transportation is our community’s greatest source of greenhouse gas emissions (GHGe). Active travel can help reduce these emissions, improving air quality and reducing future climate change impacts.

The campaign is an easy way for the region’s schools to encourage their students to build physical activity into their daily routine, increase their sense of community belonging, model safe travel habits, encourage environmental stewardship and reduce their family’s carbon footprint.

Photos: christopherroy.com

October 8, 2019 10:02 AM