Living active lifestyle is important to all

A recent letter mentioned the new Safe Routes to School program, giving me the opportunity to explain it to the community.

It is the first federal "transportation" program that will look carefully at results to decide whether to continue, change or give up. The desired results from each grant are significantly more students (K-8 grades) able to and actually walking or bicycling safely to school.

Students (and all the rest of us) in Sandpoint are receiving a new pedestrian-activated light crossing Highway 2 at Michigan, and some sidewalk at Farmin-Stidwell School.

The schools involved have inventoried students walking and cycling, and encouraging kids to do so. The schools will report the results a year later; Idaho SR2S granting committee will use success to guide future grants.

When I was a child, most kids walked or cycled to school. Buses carried those living too far away. Almost no parents drove their youngsters.

Today, one in five cars on the road in the morning is taking students to school. That's a lot of congestion and frustration.

The children are less awake and ready to learn, and not experiencing that getting there can be fun and good exercise. Living an active life is important in staying trim, and that's why the public health community supports SR2S.

Also, many drivers complain that youngsters do not know safe walking and cycling rules — many parents are delighted to have schools teaching those skills.

MOLLY O'REILLY

Sandpoint

North Idaho representative

Idaho Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee