Walk to School Week is a perfect complement to celebrating National Walking Month, helping children to stay active as well as reducing air pollution and protecting the environment.
According to campaigners Living Streets, “A generation ago, 70% of us walked to school – now it’s about half.” And that means more cars on the road, more air pollution, and less active children.
Last year a record number of over 350,000 pupils across the UK took part in Walk to School Week and we encourage as many children as possible to try it this year, if they haven't already.
Why Walking to School matters:
1. It's good for your environment
- Less congestion and traffic, which means less pollution. Motor vehicles are the biggest source of air pollution and one in four cars on the road at peak times are on the school run.
According to Dr Penny Woods, Ambassador for the British Lung Foundation, “Children are often exposed to the highest levels of pollution inside a car on their commute, and many people are unaware you can be surrounded by more air pollution inside a car than walking along the street.”
2. It's good for your children
- Allowing children to have regular daily exercise and reinforcing the habit of walking for shorter journeys helps them to arrive to school healthier, happier, and ready to learn.
3. It's good for you
- It allows you to spend more social time with your child and walking regularly improves your health and wellbeing
- You can do something enjoyable and make a real difference to your local environment.
Visit the Living Streets website to find out more.