Get ready to pump up your tires and lace up those shoes because Safe Routes Philly's "Spring Training" is gearing up to get the community moving. Schools and families across Philadelphia are invited to join the initiative that primes students for Bike, Walk, and Roll to School Day slated for May 7. By partnering up with Vision Zero Philadelphia, Safe Routes Philly aims to make the journey to school a healthier habit.
Since the inception of the first National Walk & Roll to School Day in 1997, the event has encouraged families and schools to choose active transportation methods. According to the City of Philadelphia official website, the benefits of walking and biking to school spill over into "better attendance, better behavior, [and] better grades." To stoke this competitive spirit, a month-long competition will set schools against each other, tracking the participants each Wednesday morning between April 2 and May 7.
Schools interested in taking part must delegate a "Coach," an adult responsible for coordinating with the Safe Routes Philly team and tallying up the weekly number of participating students. Whether you're a parent, teacher, or community member, you can step up to bat and guide your school's team to victory. In preparation for the competition, a virtual information session will be held on February 7 at 2 p.m., offering further details and support for those new to the coaching role.
For those who can't make the virtual session, alternative individual appointments can be set up with the Safe Routes Team. "Please book an individual appoints with the Safe Routes Team if this time does not work for you school," the Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) advises, while also requesting questions to be sent to [email protected]. The virtual meeting will include a "raise your hand" feature, allowing participants to ask questions live during the session.
As this initiative rolls out, it's clear that the city is pedaling towards a healthier, more engaged school community. If you're ready to be part of that change, visit the official page for more information or to access the Zoom meeting directly via the provided link.
