A walking school bus is a group of children walking to school with one or more adults. If that sounds simple, it is, and that’s part of the beauty of the walking school bus. It can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their children to school to as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable and a regularly rotated schedule of trained volunteers.
A variation on the walking school bus is the bicycle train, in which adults supervise children riding their bikes to school. The flexibility of the walking school bus makes it appealing to communities of all sizes with varying needs.
Starting simple
When beginning a walking school bus, remember that the program can always grow. It often makes sense to start with a small bus and see how it works. Pick a single neighborhood that has a group of parents and children who are interested. It’s like a carpool—without the car—with the added benefits of exercise and visits with friends and neighbors. For an informal bus:
- Invite families who live nearby to walk.
- Pick a route and take a test walk.
- Decide how often the group will walk together.
- Have fun!
When picking a route, answer these questions:
- Do you have room to walk?
- Are there sidewalks and paths?
- Is there too much traffic?
- Is it easy to cross the street?
- Do drivers behave well?
- Do they yield to walkers?
- Do they speed?
- Does the environment feel safe?
- Are there loose dogs?
- Is there criminal activity?
Finally, kick-off the program!!
For tips on a safe rout, contact Charlotte Claybrook, Washington's Safe Rout To School Coordinator. Charlotte Claybrooke Safe Routes to School Coordinator
Address:
Washington Department of Transportation
Highways and Local Programs Division
P.O. Box 47300 (MS 47390)
Olympia, WA 98504-7300
Phone: (360) 705-7302
Fax: (360) 705-6822
Email: ClaybrC [at] wsdot.wa [dot] gov
More information about The Walking School Bus.
by Local Green Circle, September, 2009