News Summary
In Los Angeles County, police and school officials gathered to celebrate National Walk and Roll to School Day, promoting exercise and pedestrian safety. The event, involving parents, teachers, and community volunteers, encouraged students to walk or bike to school. Over 2,750 schools participated nationwide, with 305 in California. This initiative highlighted the ongoing issue of pedestrian safety, especially for children, urging families to adopt active transportation habits. The day saw about 16,000 Riverside County residents joining in, reinforcing the importance of safe walking and biking routes for a healthier community.
Los Angeles, CA – Police and school officials throughout Los Angeles County observed National Walk and Roll to School Day, encouraging students and families to participate in activities that promote exercise and ensure pedestrian safety. As part of this initiative, numerous participants took the opportunity to walk or bike to school, often with the company of parents, teachers, and community volunteers forming walking school buses.
The event kicked off around 7 a.m. at schools across various California cities, including Indio, Jurupa Valley, Menifee, Murrieta, Palm Springs, Perris, Riverside, Temecula, and Winchester. Over 2,750 schools participated nationally, with 305 of those located in California.
The Long Beach Police Department underscored the importance of physical activity, while Police Commander Jeremy Boshnack reiterated the necessity of having safe walking and biking routes. His remarks were particularly resonant during National Pedestrian Safety Month, a time when caution is urged among drivers as pedestrian safety remains a critical concern.
Data highlights the ongoing challenge faced in pedestrian safety, as Pasadena Police Lt. Anthony Russo indicated that a pedestrian is killed every 72 minutes and injured every eight minutes in the United States. In California alone, the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration reported 1,106 pedestrian deaths in 2023. These statistics demonstrate the need for a continuous focus on safety for pedestrians, especially children.
The Los Angeles Unified School District called on families to enjoy fresh air and active mornings together. Participants were given helpful advice for route planning, encouraging the use of roads equipped with sidewalks or paths, and educating pedestrians to walk facing traffic where sidewalks are unavailable. Cyclists, too, were urged to ride with traffic while staying as far on the right as possible.
Schools across Riverside County, including Lyndon B. Johnson Elementary, Granite Hill Elementary, and Chester W. Morrison Elementary, also supported the initiative by advocating for more youth exercise and safer, pedestrian-friendly neighborhoods. Riverside County Sheriff’s Sgt. Marcos Acosta deemed the day an essential opportunity for promoting safer walking and biking routes.
An impressive turnout was seen, with approximately 16,000 residents in Riverside County participating in National Walk and Roll to School Day. Organizers expressed hope that this event would inspire families to incorporate walking and biking into their daily routines rather than just using it as a one-time event.
Walking programs are recognized for their ability to help combat childhood obesity while emphasizing pedestrian safety on traffic-prone corridors. Participants were additionally reminded to stick to marked paths, use designated crosswalks, and wear visible clothing to enhance safety.
The Riverside County schools are encouraged to continue organizing walks throughout the month to further promote exercise and establish safe routes for students. The collaboration of law enforcement, school officials, and parents during National Walk and Roll to School Day illuminated the collective goal of fostering a healthier and safer environment for students, encouraging a long-term shift toward active transportation habits.
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Additional Resources
- Patch: Walk, Bike, or Roll LA County Schools Join National Push for Safer Streets
- MyNewsLA: Thousands of Students Join National Walk and Roll to School Day
- Patch: Temecula Students Take Part in National Walk and Roll to School Day
- Biking in LA: A Look at South LA’s Hit-and-Run Epidemic
- Wikipedia: Pedestrian Safety
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