schools are gearing up to head to class feet first

More than 62,000 children from 170 New Zealand schools are gearing up to head to class ‘feet first’ next week.

Feet First Walk to School Week (March 5-9) is aiming to boost the number of children walking to and from school by promoting the benefits of making the trip on foot. Kids from participating schools in Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman will take part this year, with plans to expand Walk to School Week nationwide from 2008.

Land Transport NZ is encouraging children at all participating schools to get involved in the week’s events, walking to school with friends or caregivers, or as part of a walking school bus. The highlight of the week is Walk to School Day on Wednesday 7 March, when some schools will aim to have every child make the journey on foot.

New results from the most recent Ministry of Transport household travel survey show that the proportion of primary school children walking to school has dropped from 42 percent in 1990 to 27 percent now, while the proportion being driven to school has jumped from 31 percent to 52 percent. At some schools nearly 90 percent of students are driven.

“We need to turn those figures around. Getting kids out of cars and on their feet will mean better fitness and health, less money spent on petrol, reduced energy use and fewer vehicle emissions, less congestion at the school gate and more social interaction for kids,” says Land Transport NZ Chief Executive Wayne Donnelly.

“Feet First Walk to School Week will highlight the benefits of walking and help increase the number of kids getting to school under their own steam. We’re committed to promoting sustainable and safe land transport for life, and this is a great way for children to learn good habits early on.”

Mr Donnelly urged motorists to slow down and take extra care whenever driving around school areas.

Schools taking part in Feet First Walk to School Week will be vying for prizes of Sanitarium school breakfasts and free sports gear for those with the most participating students. Sponsors Geared New Zealand will also provide high-visibility jackets as spot prizes.

To keep the focus on walking to school after the week’s events have finished, prizes are also on offer for schools with the highest rates of participation in ‘Walking Wednesdays’ for the remainder of the first term.

Feet First Walk to School Week is led by Land Transport NZ, in partnership with ARTA, Greater Wellington Regional Council, Tauranga City Council, Nelson City Council and Tasman District Council.

Visit www.feetfirst.govt.nz for further information, including a full list of participating schools.
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