Walking to School: Into the Wind, Uphill . . . Both Ways

Mark Fenton

Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center

Univ. of North Carolina

mark.fenton@verizon.net

Surgeon General’s 1996 Activity Recommendation • 30 minutes of

activity.• Most days of the

week.• Can be broken up.• Reduced risk for

CVD, diabetes, osteoporosis, obesity, clinical depression, some forms of cancer.

Physical activity recommendation for children: (1994 consensus conf.)

• Physically active everyday as part of

lifestyle (30? 60? minutes).

• 20 minutes of vigorous activity, at least 3

days/week.

US Youth Overweight RatesJAMA 288 (14); Oct 9, 2002.

US Youth Physical Activity Rates(CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

US Youth Meeting Vigorous PA Recommendation

(CDC: Youth Risk Behavior Survey)

Health Related Quality of Life for Obese vs. Healthy Children

Schwimmer et.al., JAMA 289 (14); April 9, 2003

Obesity related issues:•Reduced physical function.•Increased absenteeism.•Reduced school performance.•Increased diabetes, sleep apnea, tibia vara, glucose & lipid imbalances, etc.

Three keys for active children:

• Reduce inactive time (TV, videos).

• Provide ample, safe, inviting play

environments.

• Allow exploration and success in a

variety of activities.

Broad approaches to increasing children’s activity levels:

• Structured activity (sports, P.E., recess).

• Motivation & skill to be active on their

own.

• Activity as a routine part of the day.

“Active Commuting to School:An Overlooked Source of Children’s

Physical Activity?”Tudor-Locke, Ainsworth; Sports Med. 2001; 31(5).

“. . . a programme of frequent walking (or bicycling), regardless of destination, is likely to be important in preventing and treating childhood obesity”

No one walks to school anymore . . . Parent reported; MMWR Aug. 2002, 4(32):701-704

• Active trips to school: 14%

(Walking 11%; cycling 3%)

• Less than or equal to a mile:

31% of trips.

Barriers to Walking to SchoolParent reported; MMWR Aug. 2002, 4(32):701-704

0

10

20

30

40

50

60

Distance Traffic Weather Crime Policy Other None

% Reporting Barrier

Walk to School Day; Safe Routes to School

History of Walk to School

• 1997: PWA launches in Chicago, LA.• 1998: Truly national event (25+ states).• 1999: CA statewide conference.• 2000: CA Safe Routes legislation.• 2001: National demonstration projects.• 2002: 3 million walkers, in 28 countries.

WTS Level 1:One Day Events

• Build awareness.

• Increase demand for walkability.

• Launch coalitions.

• Remember (or discover) the fun!

WTS Level 2:On-going Activities

• Continue promotional events.

• Launch walking school busses.

• Choose, designate safer routes.

• Use walkability checklists.

Walking School Busses:•Schedule

routes.•First aid,

safety training.

•Background checks.•Retiree

“drivers.”

Walk & Bike-ability checklists:

•Room to walk/ride?•Able to cross?•Traffic a problem?•Safe, pleasant?•Accommodating?•Ample destinations?www.pedbikeinfo.org

WTS Level 3:Infrastructure Improvements• Build, repair sidewalks and trails,

remove barriers.

• Improve crosswalks, signals; hire crossing guards; calm traffic.

• Relocate auto drop-off areas; no idling policies & car-free zones.

We know how to make safer

crossings.

Shorten distances.Divide the task.Slow the cars!

Vertical Traffic

Calming:

Speed bumps, humps, tables.

Horizontal Traffic Calming:

Curvature, chicanes,

diversions, bulb-outs, median

refuges.

Traffic Controls:

Signs, flashers, signals.

Note pedestrian countdown timer . . .

Narrowing Lanes:

Lane markings, wide sidewalks,

trees, cars, “furniture,” buildings.

WTS Level 4:Institutional Change

• Hire non-motorized travel coordinator.

• Legislate Safe Routes to School funding (state, federal).

• Alter school siting, district, and size decisions.

Figure out where you are, and move up!

• One day event.• On-going promotion.

• Infrastructure improvements.• Institutional

change.

Lesson 1: The physical activity argument.

• ~5,000 pedestrian deaths due to auto crashes.

• ~300,000 deaths due to sedentary lifestyles.

Lesson 2: Start with the Three P’s . . .

• Principal (school admin.)

• Parents (PTO/PTA).

• Police (safety).

Lesson 3: . . . but work with all the constituents.

• Safer streets.

• Local economic vitality.

• Cleaner environment.

• Greater social equity.

• Better students.

Who are the constituents?

• Neighborhood groups.

• Chamber of commerce.

• Conservation commission.

• Seniors, religious groups.

• Faculty, staff.

Church groups,Neighborhood,

Seniors.

TransportEngineering

DPW’s

Chamber of Commerce

Public SafetyPolice, fire

Land UseTrails & Greenways

Parks & Rec. Planning

Health, Schools

InternationalWalk to School Day

• October 8, 2003.

• www.walktoschool.org

• www.walkinginfo.org