Taking strides toward safety and health, Loma Park Elementary School students are lacing up their sneakers for Walk & Bike to School Day tomorrow, part of San Antonio's push for safer and more active transportation options for kids. The event, set for tomorrow, October 8, follows a successful spring outing. It's anchored in the larger efforts of the Safe Routes to School program to curtail traffic congestion and promote wellness.
Sean Beauvais, the Safe Routes to School Program Manager, said in a statement obtained by the city's news release, "This event was so popular last spring that we brought it back for Pedestrian Safety Month." Adding weight to the regular morning rush, students walking and biking has the added benefit of improving both air quality and neighborhood safety. Families up for the challenge are meeting at Monterrey Park, near the school at 6:45 a.m., with a 7:15 a.m. start for the half-mile journey to school.
The event also aims to echo the City of San Antonio's broader initiative to create more pedestrian-friendly environments and uphold its Vision Zero strategy, aiming to eliminate traffic-related deaths and injuries. As a preparatory move, students are utilizing maps to chart safe pathways from home to school, a practical skill that underscores the city's commitment to safety and accessibility for its youngest citizens.
Principal Laura Mendoza of Loma Park Elementary School informed the public through the same news release, "We'll be cheering on our Loma Park students as they move along North 38th Street." Recognizing the local community's role, she added her thanks for the partnership with the city in making the event possible. In a gesture of collective movement, parents, faculties, and city staff will be seen spearheading the lively procession to the school gates.
