RALEIGH – Thousands of parents and students across North Carolina laced up their shoes and hit the pavement Wednesday morning on the way to school.
The annual National Walk & Roll to School Day celebration encourages more families to consider getting to school on foot or by bicycle, which is a healthier alternative to traveling in a vehicle and brings attention to circumstances such as safety that may be getting in the way. Nearly 115 schools across the state held events in recognition of the day.
This year, the NCDOT’s Safe Routes to School program’s feature event was in Durham. Students, parents, teachers, state and local officials started their trek at the Save A Lot grocery store on Liberty Street and made their way about a half-mile to Eastway Elementary School on North Alston Avenue.
“Events like this remind us all about the importance of bike and pedestrian safety, especially for our children,” said Ryan Brumfield, director of the N.C. Department of Transportation’s Integrated Mobility Division, which oversees the state’s bicycle, pedestrian and public transportation programs. “Motorists should be mindful and considerate of pedestrians and bicyclists, particularly in school zones and other high-activity areas. I also encourage parents to talk with your kids about how to be safe near roadways.”
Coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, Walk & Roll to School Day encourages walking and rolling to school as healthy ways for kids and families to make their daily commutes.
For more information and a full list of schools scheduled to participate in North Carolina, visit the Walk, Bike & Roll to School webpage.