By Lisa Carolin
You might have noticed fewer vehicles on the road at the start and end of school days Wednesday, May 9 and Wednesday, May 16.
That’s because it was Bike to School day and Walk to School preview day on those dates.
For those who lived too far away, drop off sites were designated and aimed mostly at North Creek and South Meadows Elementary School students. For students who live in Chelsea, it was a matter of hopping on their bikes and riding to school and/or simply walking to school.
“Five Healthy Towns was the big grant facilitator for the Safe Routes to Schools grant that the City received several years ago,” said Andrew Thomson, adult/youth enrichment coordinator for Community Education. “The Bike to School day and the Walk to School preview event are the tail end of that grant process from several years ago.”
Thomson said that riding bikes and walking to school are great ways for kids to stay active.
“They learn about safety and have fun on their way to school,” said Thomson. “It also benefits the city and neighborhood residents around the schools by working to reduce traffic and exhaust around the buildings from all of the families driving to school and dropping kids off.”
The Chelsea Wellness Coalition noticed during last year’s community service data that not many kids walk to school.
“Very few children in our community walk to school, even though the entire city is within a half-mile walking distance to at least one of the schools in town,” said Thomson.
He called the events a success thanks to the hundreds of kids who participated.
