Back to school on the 606

Many families have enjoyed the beautiful summer days outside while walking and biking through our region. As students head back to school, why not continue this fun and healthy activity?

On September 6, dozens of families flocked to the 606 for the first ever Walk and Roll to School event on the Bloomingdale Trail.

The event was meant to encourage students and families to walk or bike to school. Given that 21 schools are located within a 10-minute walk of the trail, there are plenty of opportunities for kids to use it for getting to and from school. 

For the event, volunteers from The Trust for Public Land, Friends of the Bloomingdale Trail and Chicago Police Department lined the trail handing out pencil cases and cheering on students who were using the trail to get to school.

Urban trails like the Bloomingdale Trail are vital for providing safe, low-stress environments for people of any age or skill level. Active Trans’ Bikeways for All campaign strives for a connected network of off-street paths that would become a citywide trail network.

Active Trans has long been an advocate for Safe Routes to School, a state program that seeks to improve the health of children by encouraging them to walk and bike to school.

Unfortunately, though, the state program is underfunded and is not as inclusive as it could be. Our Safe Routes for Healthy Kids campaign works to change that.

We know that Illinois can do more and that our children deserve access to biking and walking resources and education. Our campaign prioritizes boosting funding for the state Safe Routes to School program, making it easier for low-income communities to participate in the program, and improving administrative practices of the program to mirror national best practices.

If we are able to accomplish these changes, we can greatly improve the health of Illinois’ children. 

Sign up to support our Safe Routes for Healthy Kids campaign and we will keep you updated about ways that you can get involved.

If upgraded, the Safe Routes to School program could also help improve infrastructure with upgrades like sidewalk installation and traffic calming. Unfortunately, we don’t have beautiful trails in every neighborhood yet, and many students must face unsafe streets or crumbling sidewalks.

For more information about our Safe Routes for Healthy Kids campaign, check out our website. (If you are interested in getting involved, the infographics on the webpage can help guide you!)

Don’t miss the next Walk and Roll to School event on October 5 in celebration of the 20th annual National Walk and Bike to School Day.