TULSA, OK – [October 6, 2015] – Every October, thousands of schools across America drum up some fun and excitement on Walk or Bike to School Day. It’s a great way for students to get their 60 minutes of physical activity for the day. Plus, they can band together with friends and family and connect with their communities.
The TSET Healthy Living Program at the Tulsa Health Department encourages students, families, communities and schools to ”walk ‘n’ roll” during International Walk or Bike to School Day on October 7.
City of Tulsa Mayor Dewey Bartlett has officially proclaimed this October to be “Walk to School Month.”
In addition to acknowledging that lack of physical activity plays a leading role in rising rates of obesity, diabetes and other health problems among children, the mayor’s proclamation states, “An important role for parents and caregivers is to teach children about pedestrian safety and become aware of the dangers that children face on their trip to school each day.”
Walk or Bike to School Day promotes physical activity and raises awareness for the need to have walkable communities that are safe for pedestrians, especially children. Not only is Walk or Bike to School Day an easy way for kids to stay active, but it also advocates the need for policies and projects that promote safe walking and bicycling, such as sidewalks, bicycle lanes, crosswalks and walking trails.
Here are several ways participants can “walk n’ roll” on their way to school on October 7:
Start a “walk n’ roll” band. Take the whole family along, and invite friends and neighbors to participate too, making it a neighborhood event.
If you live too far from school or do not have access to safe routes, designate a starting point for you and your family to park. Then, get the show on the road and walk or bike from there.
Host an event at your school, like a “walk n’ roll” parade. Have it during a school assembly, and let students become “walk stars.”
For more information or to register a Walk or Bike to School Day event, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org. Registering a Walk or Bike to School Day event provides organizers access to free, downloadable materials, including stickers, certificates and customizable fliers. Events that register on the Walk or Bike to School website will be displayed on an interactive U.S. map, where neighboring communities, media and other organizations can identify who is holding an event in their area.
TSET Healthy Living Program
The TSET Healthy Living Program at the Tulsa Health Department is a grant-funded program which seeks to prevent and reduce tobacco use and obesity by working with businesses, cities and governments, schools, and community institutions and organizations, to help make the healthy choice the easy choice. The program is funded through a grant by the Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust. For more information visit www.tulsa-health.org.
Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust
The Oklahoma Tobacco Settlement Endowment Trust (TSET) serves as a partner and bridge builder for organizations working towards shaping a healthier future for all Oklahomans. TSET provides leadership at the intersections of health by working with statewide grantees and cultivating innovative and life-changing research, and by working across public and private sectors to develop, support, implement and evaluate creative strategies to take advantage of emerging opportunities to improve the public’s health. To learn more visit www.tset.ok.gov.
