Living Streets Aotearoa President, Celia Wade-Brown, says the positives of walking to school far
outweigh the negatives.
Arriving at school alert, making friends with children in the neighbourhood,
understanding their local geography, and unwinding after a day in the classroom, as well as the more obvious benefits of healthy exercise and reduced vehicle emissions and congestion, mean that walking is a must in the 21st Century.
"Stranger danger" along footpaths to school is an over-hyped myth" says the mother-of-two. "The number of such incidents is extremely rare - it’s not strangers that are a threat to children. They face much more danger from vehicle accidents while being driven to school or at the school gate."
"Traffic danger is real, but walking school buses, groups with an older sibling or parents taking time to walk with their daughters and sons can overcome that. Another benefit is that walking always encourages talking. It’s a great time to find out what your child feels about school while you walk there with them." Walking their children to school gives parents an opportunity to carry on their own journeys sustainably - whether back home with baby in the pushchair, by bus to the city, or on foot or by cycle to work.We encourage every family and every member of the family to enjoy Walk to School Week!
Living Streets Aotearoa supports more community friendly streets - attractive environments, street trees, more moderate speeds and better land use so destinations are closer to people's homes.For more information:
Celia Wade-Brown, President, Living Streets Aotearoa, 027 483 6691
Liz Thomas, Director, Living Streets Aotearoa, 04 472 8280 and 021 106 4201
28/2/07
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