Press Release

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October 6, 2009

Four Richmond elementary schools will join thousands of schools from around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October 7 to promote safer, more walkable streets for students and reduced traffic and air pollution around school zones.

Students from Lincoln Elementary, Nystrom Elementary, Cesar E. Chavez Elementary, and Peres Elementary in Richmond will walk to school on October 7 for an event that promotes improving traffic safety skills, safer school zones, and physical activity.

"Walking or biking to school is a great opportunity for parents to teach children about traffic safety and promote walking as the easiest way to get daily physical activity." said Nancy Baer, Manager of Contra Costa Health Services' Injury Prevention and Physical Activity Promotion Projects.

Nearly 4,000 Contra Costa residents were hospitalized as a result of motor vehicle accidents, according to studies conducted in Contra Costa from 2002-2004, 15% were pedestrians and bicyclists.

"With Walk to School Day we hope to increase the number of students that walk to school not only on October 7, but everyday. The more cars we get off the road, the less traffic we have around our schools and this equals safer walking and biking conditions for our children," Baer said.

Participants will receive an official "I Walked to School" sticker, a coloring book, a pencil imprinted with "Use Your Street Smarts: Look 3 Ways Before Crossing," a nutritious breakfast snack, and a variety of information on safety, healthy eating and physical activity.

These Walk to School Day events are part of a larger Caltrans-funded West Contra Costa Safe Routes to Schools Project. More information about the October 7 event can be found at: cawalktoschool.com, walktoschool.org, and iwalktoschool.org.

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