Released Oct. 7, 2009

Contact: Margo O’Hara
312.427.3325 x 224
margo@activetrans.org
Photos available

Students take to the sidewalks for Walk and Roll to School Day

Millions of children around the world traded in the back seats of their parents’ cars and opted to bike, walk and roll to school for the annual Walk and Roll to School Day.

Walk and Roll to School Day, part of International Walk to School Day, celebrates students’ safe and active trips to and from school.

Area schools, including five Active Transportation Alliance Mini-grant Winners, promoted this fun and energizing day.

“This event reminds children and their parents of the simple joy of walking or biking to school,” said Rob Sadowsky, Active Transportation Alliance executive director. “This is just the beginning for communities who are energized to promote biking and walking.”

H.R. McCall Elementary in Waukegan promoted pedestrian safety through a puppet performance for the entire school. Other schools hosted a rally or morning celebration

The other mini-grant winners are listed below:

• Blaine Elementary, Chicago
  1420 W. Grace St 60613
  Phone: 312-560-5361
• Finkl Elementary, Chicago
  2332 South Western Avenue 60608
  Phone: 773-682-4933
• Neil Elementary, Chicago
  8555 S. Michigan Ave. 60619
  Phone: 312-742-4998
• H.R. McCall Elementary, Waukegan
  3215 N. McCaree Rd. 60087
  Phone: 847-625-5179
• Washington Elementary, Evanston
  914 Ashland Ave 60202
  Phone: 847-332-1016
• Scarlet Oak School, Oak Forest
  5731 Albert Drive 60452
  Phone: 708-687-5822

Walk and Roll to School Day furthers the Safe Routes to School movement, which promotes and celebrates student’s safe and active trips to and from school. Find out more at www.saferoutesinfo.org.

The Active Transportation Alliance is a non-profit, member-based advocacy organization that works to make bicycling, walking and public transit so safe, convenient and fun that we will achieve a significant shift from environmentally harmful, sedentary travel to clean, active travel. The organization builds a movement around active transportation, encourages physical activity, increases safety and builds a world-class transportation network. Formerly the Chicagoland Bicycle Federation, the Active Transportation Alliance is North America’s largest transportation advocacy organization, supported by more than 6,000 members, 1,000 volunteers and 35 full-time staff. For more information on the Active Transportation Alliance, visit www.activetrans.org or call 312.427.3325.

###