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On the first Wednesday in October, get ready to lace up your walking shoes or hop on your bike for National Walk and Bike to School Day! This annual event encourages students to ditch the car and embrace a more active mode of transportation. It began in 1997 as a one-day event in Chicago and has since grown into a global movement, with over 40 countries participating. Not only is it a fun way to start the day, but it also promotes physical activity, reduces traffic congestion, and helps create safer streets for everyone. So let's hit the pavement together and make our commute to school an enjoyable one!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1997</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Holiday Inception</div><div class='timeline-text'>National Walk and Bike to School Day started as a one-day event in Chicago, aiming to create safer routes for students, promote physical activity and lesson traffic congestion.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>National Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>The event gained National attention in the U.S, encouraging schools across the country to participate and promote healthier, sustainable commute options.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2006</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>International Expansion</div><div class='timeline-text '>The event expanded beyond U.S borders to other countries, making it an international movement promoting active commuting for children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2010</div></div><div class 'timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Safe Routes to School</div><div class='timeline-text '>Increased efforts on the "Safe Routes to School" program by communities across U.S., focusing on engineering safer streets and paths for children.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2017</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>20th Anniversary Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text '>National Walk and Bike to School Day celebrated its 20th anniversary, with a record number of registered events across more than 40 countries.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>Present</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Continued Growth</div><div class='timeline-text '>The event continues to be celebrated annually, encouraging children, parents, and communities to prioritize active and safe commuting.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Organize a walking or biking group</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Gather some friends and classmates and organize a group to walk or bike to school together. This will make the journey more fun and encourage others to join in.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Create a scavenger hunt</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Make the walk or bike ride to school more exciting by creating a scavenger hunt along the way. Include fun items to find, like certain flowers or street signs, and have a prize for the first person to complete the hunt.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Have a bike decorating contest</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Encourage students to decorate their bikes with streamers, balloons, and other fun decorations. Have a contest for the most creative and unique bike, and give out prizes to the winners.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a healthy breakfast potluck</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>After the walk or bike ride to school, have a healthy breakfast potluck with your classmates. This is a great way to refuel after exercising and also promotes healthier eating habits.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Invite local officials to join</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Reach out to local officials, such as the mayor or city council members, and invite them to join in on the walk or bike ride to school. This not only promotes the event, but also raises awareness for the importance of safe walking and biking routes in the community.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Promotes an active lifestyle</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Walk and Bike to School Day encourages children and parents to incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. It promotes a healthier lifestyle and can instill good habits for the future.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Reduces traffic and pollution</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By walking or biking to school, families can reduce the number of cars on the road and help decrease carbon emissions. This helps create a safer environment for everyone, including those who have to drive to school.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Encourages community involvement</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>National Walk and Bike to School Day brings together children, parents, teachers, and community members in a shared activity. It fosters a sense of community and can lead to stronger relationships between neighbors.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-content-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Walking or Biking to School Contributes to Daily Exercise Needs</h3><p class='facts-text'>According to CDC guidelines, children require at least an hour of physical activity per day. The exercise from walking or biking to school can significantly contribute to this need.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-content-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Walking or Biking Can Boost Cognitive Performance</h3><p class='facts-text'>Studies have shown that physical activity, especially before school, can improve attention span, cognitive performance, and academic scores in children.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-content-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Walking or Biking Improves Road-Safety Awareness</h3><p class='facts-text'>When children regularly walk or bike to school, it helps them understand road safety rules, increasing their awareness and ability to navigate traffic safely.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-content-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Active Commutes Can Enhance Emotional Health</h3><p class='facts-text'>Physical activities like walking and biking to school not only promote physical well-being but also support mental and emotional health, helping to reduce stress and anxiety levels in children.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-header'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-content-wrapper'><h3 class='facts-title'>Active School Trips Foster Independence and Responsibility</h3><p class='facts-text'>Allowing children to walk or bike to school encourages self-reliance and responsibility, key skills that are beneficial throughout their lives.</p></div></div>
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