Area students take part in walk

Some walked. Some rode their bikes. And still others rode their scooters as the Lake Pend Oreille School District again took part in the annual International Walk and Roll to School Day.

Others who could not walk to school took part in "Walk AT School" events during the day, LPOSD Safe Routes to School coordinator Erin Billings said.

In taking part in the annual walk, LPOSD students joined those from around the country and across the globe in the event. Joining them in the walk are area parents, teachers, and community leaders and partners.

"Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment," Billings said previously. "The event builds connections between families, schools and the broader community."

LPOSD has been taking part in the annual walk since 2003, working to increase awareness of the need to create safer routes for students to get to school. According to walkbiketoschool.org, 203,000 children ages 15 and younger were injured in motor vehicle crashes in 2009; 15,000 of those injured were pedestrians. Therefore, according to the website, priority must be placed on making it possible for everyone to walk safely, especially in neighborhoods and school zones.

The event also emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment, and builds connections between families, schools, and the broader community.

    Farmin Elementary students walk to school on International Walk to School Day on Oct. 9.
  

    Kootenai Elementary students walk to school on International Walk to School Day on Oct. 9.