Few kids willing to walk to school
Fewer than half of American children who live
close to school regularly walk or ride a bike to classes.
Fewer than half of American children who live close to school regularly walk or ride a bike to classes, according to a new study that highlights a dramatic shift toward car commuting by kids.
The issue is important because it’s linked to escalating rates of childhood obesity. Many schools have been cutting back on recess and physical education.
Older urban communities have the most walking and biking children, at least partly because they were built with pedestrians in mind. But newer communities — like many in the South — were designed around the car, and may lack continuous sidewalks or safe crosswalks, Frank said.
Research also has shown that the South has the lowest levels of exercise and adult activity. “They don’t view walking to school as very important,” said Sarah Martin, the author of the study.
Yup - I grew up in one of those urban communities and walked about a mile to elementary school. The important ritual of growing up was the first morning your mom let you walk to school by yourself.
Posted: Tue - July 17, 2007 at 11:48 AM