The City of Fort Collins, Poudre School District and local K-12 students will celebrate National Walk & Roll to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 9, 2024. This event encourages the use of active transportation, such as walking and biking, to promote health and community well-being.
The city’s Safe Routes to School program, which helps organize the event, expects participation from around 20 local schools. This year, children across all 50 states, as well as more than 40 countries worldwide, will join the celebration. Events like Walk & Roll to School Day have increased active transportation rates at many local schools in recent years.
“Shepardson Elementary is a great example of how schools can embrace walking and biking,” says Nancy Nichols, City of Fort Collins Safe Routes to School program manager. “Three times as many Shepardson students walk and bike to school now compared to five years ago, and the school has surpassed our citywide goal of having over 50 percent of students regularly walk or bike to school.”
Children are encouraged to travel in groups, use designated crosswalks and sidewalks and follow safe routes to prioritize safety. Drivers are reminded to stay aware in school zones and residential areas. For more information about the City of Fort Collins’ Safe Routes to School program, visit fcgov.com/saferoutes.