SHAPE encourages participation in events
Thursday July 01, 2010
Bev Esslinger

Have you taken the opportunity recently just to sit back and think about your elementary school days? Do you remember the first time you walked to school? The sense of freedom, fear and wonder all wrapped up in one. Do you remember when you rode your bike to school for the first time? You planned your route, got your bike ready for the trek, and then packed an extra juice box or two and a granola bar just in case you needed the extra energy?

The sad truth is that every year less kids pull on their sneakers, or strap on their favorite CSA approved bike helmet and head to school.

SHAPE (Safe Healthy Active People Everywhere) is a non-profit organization that promotes the Active & Safe Routes to Schools programs throughout Alberta. We encourage students to walk or bike to school on a regular basis! SHAPE promotes active transportation of students which in turn promotes student health, benefits the environment and reduces traffic congestion in and around schools.

SHAPE encourages participation in events such as International Walk to School Week, Winter Walk Day and/or Bike to School Day as a vehicle to educate and motivate students to walk to school on a regular basis. We promote safety through the education of safety rules of walking/biking to school as well as programs such as Walking Buddies or Walking School Buses which provide support and/or supervision to students walking to school.

SHAPE provides encouragement and support to school communities to encourage their students to walk or bike to school. We work directly with school councils and/or school administration to develop ideas and plans for their school. Schools can choose event days, walking programs or a weekly/month Walking Day to promote their plans.

The truth is, that we can all help stem the tide when it comes to getting not only our children, but our families active again! Something as simple as a Walking School Bus is a vital first step in actively engaging our children in physical activity, but it serves a greater purpose. There is something incredible about driving through a community on your way to work and seeing twenty or thirty students and parents on their way to school, laughing, giggling, and engaging in the building blocks of physically active lifestyle.

Do you want to be apart of the solution but don’t know how to start? Here are a couple great ways you can start!

International Walk to School Week is celebrated the first week of October (October 4-8, 2010). International Walk to School Week gives children, parents, school teachers and community leaders an opportunity to be part of a global event as they celebrate the many benefits of walking. Over 42 countries and millions of walkers from around the world walked to school together for various reasons – all hoping to create communities that are safe places to walk.

Winter Walk Day will be Feb 9, 2011 and we encourage everyone register for the event, then on Winter Walk day to walk at least 15 minutes outside and then record the total minutes their group walked. In the past we had over 72,000 participants walking over 2 million minutes from schools, workplaces and community groups. Take time to enjoy winter....walk to school, walk your dog, walk to the mailbox....walk for your health, walk for fun, walk to enjoy great outdoors!

Alberta Bike to School Day - June 3, 2010-- we will be encouraging students to bike to school that day....schools might want to host bike rodeos or bike training events prior to event in prepare students.

School Travel Planning - School Travel Planning is a community-based approach that aims to increase the number of children choosing active transportation modes to get to and from school, thereby addressing the issues of sustainability, safety and health associated with the school run.

For more great tips and ideas or to register for one of these great events visit: www.shapeab.com

-- Bev Esslinger

Column ID#: 133

**Opinions expressed by guest columnists do not necessarily reflect the views of Connect2Edmonton members, partners or sponsors.**

discuss