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Only 24 percent of jobs in the region are accessible by transit in 90 minutes or less by a typical resident — and that number drops to 12 percent in the suburbs.

Fun walking and biking resources for kids

Apr 1, 2020 | by Maggie Melin Czerwinski

With schools closed and Governor Pritzker’s “stay at home” order extended through April, some of you may now find yourself at home with young children, juggling work and other responsibilities while keeping your kids occupied and entertained.

If you’re looking for ways to engage their minds, why not add some interactive, online walking and biking safety education to the mix?

Here are a few recommended resources that can help prepare kids of all ages with street smarts and safety skills:

Illinois Bike Safety Quiz

BikeSafetyQuiz.com is an online resource developed by Ride Illinois that teaches kids, adults, motorists, and truck drivers how to share the road safely. Interactive quizzes for each audience cover safety techniques and relevant state laws using images, short explanations for each answer choice, and extra chances to answer correctly.

Think you’re up for the challenge? Give it a try and spread the word. We would love to see everyone in Illinois take this quiz!

Pedestrian and Bicycle Safer Journey

The Pedestrian Safer Journey and Bicycle Safer Journey websites include age-appropriate videos with follow-up quizzes and discussion guides on safe walking and biking.

The material is divided into three age ranges (ages 5-9, 10-14, and 15-18) and is available in both English and Spanish.

The websites also include a list of additional resources and curricula from around the country for teachers and parents/caregivers. This resource was developed by the Pedestrian and Bicycle Information Center for the Federal Highway Administration and is one of our favorites.

Lesson plans for the teachers in your life

Over the years, Active Trans has developed several lesson plans to help equip children with the knowledge they need to safely walk or bike. Lessons include both classroom work and experiential activities, and range from 10-minutes to one hour in length.

Parents, caregivers, and teachers can adapt these lessons to best fit their needs. Outdoor activities should only be practiced with adult supervision and in areas where social distancing is possible.

Here are three easy-to-use lesson guides available for download:

Teaching kids about walking and biking will provide them with important life skills that can be used for the rest of their lives.

Please pass these resources along if  you know of parents or teachers who may find them helpful.