Texas Governor Rick Perry recently demonstrated his concern for children’s health and safety by signing a proclamation which decrees Thursday, April 27, 2006 to be Bike & Walk to School Day in Texas.

In part, the proclamation states:
“As families increase their levels of activity, one option they may wish to pursue is to encourage their children to bike or walk to school. Ensuring that children can do so safely requires parental, neighborhood and community-wide support. To increase awareness of this fitness option, April has been dedicated for an educational campaign.”

A copy of the proclamation and a complete Texas Bike & Walk to School Day resource guide including flyers, a poster, instructions, FAQs and resources for teachers are available at www.BikeTexas.org or by clicking the banner on the front page. Texas Bike & Walk to School Day is based upon the popular International Walk to School Day, held every October, now in its sixth year.

Texas Bike & Walk to School Day Is Thursday, April 27!

Help Texas Bicycle Coalition spread the word to schools in your community! Texas Governor Rick Perry has officially proclaimed Thursday, April 27, 2006 as Texas Bike & Walk to School Day. The Coalition has created and published resources on the BikeTexas website to help schools and volunteers coordinate and participate locally in Texas Bike & Walk to School Day. Information and materials are now available on the Texas Bike & Walk to School Day web pages.

The BikeTexas Safe Routes to Schools program is on target to meet its goals for the current school year. Staff has trained teachers, conducted traffic counts and environmental audits and created partnerships with PTAs, community groups and civic officials in every grant-designated region of north Texas.

Texas Bicycle Coalition was invited to serve on the Steering Committee of the National Safe Routes to School (SR2S) Partnership and recently attended a two-day Partnership and Steering Committee meeting in Washington, D.C. The National Safe Routes to School Partnership has been initially funded with a grant from Bikes Belong.

The National SR2S Partnership represents more than 75 member organizations, including bicycle, pedestrian and trail advocacy; education; health; law enforcement; and engineering groups. The partnership was formed to share ideas and collaborate on Safe Routes to School best practices.