Courtesy photo

Audrey Lord-Hausman of Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (in the blue t-shirt) stands with Emma Eyestone, a Nea second grader, and her mom, Donna Eyestone. The Eyestones ride to and from school every day on their tandem bike and are big supporters and examples of the spirit behind Walk & Roll to School Day.

Next Wednesday, Oct. 5, Alameda elementary and middle school students won’t be relying on their parents’ automobiles to get to school during the 11th Annual Walk & Roll to School Day. The event asks children, parents and teachers to get out of their cars and walk or bicycle to school.

Even students whose parents must drive them to school can participate by getting out of their cars early to walk a few blocks to school. The City of Alameda’s Public Works Department has created school route maps and safety tips for elementary and middle school students participating in the event.

“Seeing all the youth and parents walking or bicycling is great,” said Board of Education President Ron Mooney. “We strongly encourage families to walk and bicycle year-round as a way to be together. The messages we want to reinforce for everyone are: stop, look and listen and, look left-right-left before crossing streets; parents and youth, please wear bicycle helmets; and if driving, do so safely.”

The goal of Alameda’s Walk & Roll is to promote health, safety, physical activity and environmental awareness. Besides elementary school students, the mayor, the city council, the board of education, the Alameda Unified School District superintendent, and city staff will participate in some way during this year’s event. Walk & Roll to School Day is held nationally and almost 6,000 youth are expected to participate this year.

“The purpose (of Walk & Roll to School Day) is to make walking and bicycling a natural part of everyone’s life, particularly when going to and from school,” said Audrey Lord-Hausman, cofounder of Walk & Roll to School Day and Pedestrian Friendly Alameda. “Students who began with this event in their first years of elementary school are entering middle and high school and are incorporating these healthy and environmentally-friendly modes of transportation on an everyday basis.”

Alameda PTA Council, Alameda Unified School District, Pedestrian Friendly Alameda, the city’s Public Works Department, and Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools are sponsoring the event.

To learn more about Walk & Roll to School Day, visit www.iwalktoschool.com or www.cawalktoschool.com.