News Release

Release date: Oct. 3, 2001

Students get special lesson in walking safely to school

As part of "Walk Your Kids to School Week," some of the Emerald Park students had a very special escort on their walk to school: King County Executive Ron Sims.  Also along for the walk were traffic engineers, educators and parents -- all working together to promote safer roadways at a time of year when concern over pedestrian accidents is on the rise.

Sims then led a school assembly where he led the children in rousing cheers and showed a King County "Walk Smart" video produced with students from Emerald Park.

"Our children are our most precious asset, and we want to do everything possible to keep them healthy and safe," Sims said. "We also want to encourage them to be responsible for their own safety by teaching them to be aware of their surroundings and how to deal with hazards on their daily walk to school.

"I intend to support this grass-roots community effort by calling for $8.3 million worth of pedestrian improvements as part of my proposed 2002 transportation budget. This proposal will allow us to continue making safety investments in ways that recognize the unique transportation needs of King County communities."

Activities and lessons throughout the week teach children safe walking skills and how to identify safe routes to schools. It increases the awareness of how walkable a community is and where improvements could be made. The mission of the event is to promote physical activity through the easiest to do exercise -- walking. Parents are also encouraged to participate to learn how they can reduce traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools.

Nearly 50 schools in King County are planning a variety of events to mark this year's international "Walk Our Children to School Week." Log on to http://www.metrokc.gov/kcdot/roads to learn more about walk events and participating schools. The county has expanded its Web site to include more information about walking safely -- and even has streaming videos that can be watched on the Web site. Other new information includes downloadable Walk Smart bookmarks with kids’ drawings and ideas on what to do at your school.

Many students and parents will use this week to identify the best walking routes to schools or to bus stops while others will be looking for potential improvements that could make their walk even safer.

Metropolitan King County Councilmember Kent Pullen, who represents the Emerald Park neighborhoods in southeast King County, applauded the school-based program.

"I am glad to see King County working together with local families to protect our schoolchildren and improve pedestrian safety for everyone," said Pullen.

Information gathered during the walks will be considered along with other ideas offered by parents and students as schools and traffic safety engineers look at ways to improve streets and roads in King County.

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