Walk to school events are a great way to begin or strengthen walk/bike-to-school efforts, conduct pedestrian education, and create enthusiasm for walking and biking to school and more. Walking or biking to school one time is so much more than zero.  Remember--events can be as simple as announcing "It's BIke and Walked to School Day" and giving "I Walked" and "I Biked" stickers to children when thet arrive. Below is a guide for more complicated events. Here are 51 event ideas to inspire you as well.

About a month before the event:

Identify dates through the PTA/PTO or Site Council and secure principal’s support. Consider linking walk/bike to school event with other events.

Create routes. Walk or bike for times (http://maps.google.com  also has a walk and a bike feature). Identify park and walk sites for families who usually drive children to school. Designate starting point/time. Create map and flier. (See right sidebar for fliers for simple events.) Identify adult leaders for each route and supply with safety vests, stop paddles and Crossing Guard Guidelines.

Connect with school staff and students to support the event. Possible ideas: music teacher helps find musicians/students to greet walkers, art teacher helps students create banners or visuals to promote or reflect on event, PE teacher promotes walking to school with PALA. Connect with bilingual and special education staff. Consider small incentives.

Promote event through website, newsletter and hall signs.

Invite special guest walkers.

Consider/plan for media coverage. Very local is a great place to start. Communicate with school administration.

About a week before event

Promote event through flier. Add walk to school or bike to school safety tips to the back of flyer.

Send press release (if press coverage desired).

The week of the event--each day leading

Promote event through school intercom, during lunch, at arrival and dismissal and other face-to-face contact.

Day of Event

Celebrate the arrival to school with banners, raffles, music or other recognition.

Provide coffee for parents to encourage them to linger, connect with each other, and perhaps consider establishing monthly, weekly or even daily walk and bike-to-school activities. 

After the event

Reflect on event—and use reflections to address pedestrian safety concerns and improve the next walk to school event. Revise walk map as needed.