Why Safe Routes is Important
Walking or biking to school enables children to get the recommended amount of daily physical activity, allows them to enjoy the fresh air and the opportunity to get to know their neighborhood, while arriving at school alert, refreshed and ready to start their day. Decreasing automobile use from parents driving their children to school decreases morning traffic congestion and also helps to contribute to a healthier environment and healthier community.

		...by encouraging your child to walk or bike to school (and doing so yourself), you are helping to combat the increasingly alarming rates of childhood and adult obesity. This physical activity will also lower the risks of serious physical and mental consequences of childhood obesity, and will help to establish healthy behaviors that can last a lifetime. Read more>
		...according to local studies, 21-27% of morning traffic is attributed to parents driving their children to school. Read more>
		...by encouraging your child to walk or bike to school, you will directly reduce automobile emissions that pollute our environment and increase our energy use. Read more>
		...by decreasing automobile use and encouraging your child to walk or bike to school, you can improve the health of your entire community Read more>

Healthy Children

Childhood Overweight and Obesity
The percentage of young people who are overweight has more than tripled since 1980. Among children and teens aged 6 –19 years, 16 percent (over 9 million young people) are considered overweight. The statistics are worse for adults, with the latest data from the National Center for Health Statistics showing that 30 percent of U.S. adults 20 years of age and older (over 60 million people) are obese. In Missouri, the problem is even more severe with almost 63% of adults overweight or obese. Overweight in children and adolescents is generally caused by lack of physical activity, unhealthy eating patterns, or a combination of the two, with genetics and lifestyle both playing important roles in determining a child's weight. The U.S. Surgeon General recommends establishing healthy eating habits and increasing the level of physical activity to combat childhood overweight. It is recommended that adults accumulate at least 30 minutes and children 60 minutes of moderate physical activity most days of the week. Even greater amounts of physical activity may be necessary for the prevention of weight gain, for weight loss, or for sustaining weight loss.
Source: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/products/pubs/pubd/hestats/overwght99.htm(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Health Statistics) and
http://apps.nccd.cdc.gov/brfss (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System) and
http://www.cdc.gov/nccdphp/dnpa/obesity (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, National Center for Chronic Disease Prevention and Health Promotion)

Physical Health Consequences
The physical health consequences for overweight children are serious. Risk factors for heart disease, such as high cholesterol and high blood pressure, occur with increased frequency in overweight children and adolescents compared to children with a healthy weight. Type 2 diabetes, previously considered an adult disease, has increased dramatically in children and adolescents. Overweight and obesity are closely linked to type 2 diabetes.
Source: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm(U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General)

Mental/Emotional Health Consequences
The most immediate consequence of overweight as perceived by the children themselves is social discrimination. This is associated with poor self-esteem, anxiety and depression.
Source: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General)

Establishing Healthy Behaviors for a Lifetime
Overweight adolescents have a 70% chance of becoming overweight or obese adults. This increases to 80% if one or more parent is overweight or obese. Overweight or obese adults are at risk for a number of health problems including heart disease, type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, and some forms of cancer. Be a good role model for your child. If your child sees you enjoying healthy foods and physical activity, he or she is more likely to do the same now and for the rest of his or her life. Participating in your child’s physical activity is important, and walking or bicycling with your child to and from school is a great way for your child and you to get the recommended level of moderate exercise.
Source: http://www.surgeongeneral.gov/topics/obesity/calltoaction/fact_adolescents.htm (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of the Surgeon General)

Morning Traffic Congestion

The Marin County Congestion Management Agency attributes 21-27% of morning traffic to parents driving their children to school. This has caused increased traffic congestion around schools, prompting even more parents to drive their kids. The consequences to our children, to their health and to the health of the community are extensive.
Source: http://www.saferoutestoschools.org (Safe Routes to Schools, a program of the Transportation Authority of Marin)

Healthy Environment

Air Pollution
Automotive engines emit a number of pollutants during the combustion process or through fuel evaporation including, hydrocarbons, nitrogen oxides, carbon monoxide and particulate matter. All of these pollutants directly impair human health. In addition, hydrocarbons and nitrogen oxides are precursors in the formation of ozone, which is itself a respiratory irritant. Carbon dioxide is also released to the atmosphere during the combustion process, and although it is non-toxic, it is a greenhouse gas that directly contributes to global warming.
Source: www.epa.gov/otaq/invntory/overview/pollutants/index.htm (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Pollutants) and http://yosemite.epa.gov/oar/globalwarming.nsf/content/index.html(U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Global Warming)

Water Pollution
Nitrogen Oxides are one of the primary causes of acid rain, a serious environmental problem that affects large parts of the US and Canada. Automobiles also leave oil, antifreeze, grease and metals on streets and driveways that are contributing nonpoint sources of water pollution.
Source: www.epa.gov/acidrain/index.html (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Acid Rain) and www.epa.gov/ebtpages/watewaternonpointsources.html (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, Waste Water)

Energy Use
Transportation is the world’s fastest-growing form of energy use, accounting for nearly 30 percent of world energy use and 95 percent of global oil consumption. The most significant driver of rising energy consumption for transportation is growing reliance on the private car. In the US cars and light trucks account for 40 percent of the nation’s oil use.
Source: www.worldwatch.org/features/consumption/sow/trendsfacts/2004/07/07/(Worldwatch Institute)

Healthy Communities

When you choose an alternative mode of transportation, you improve the health of your entire community by improving air and water quality for all. In addition, people are more likely to feel safer and more comfortable when they see people walking and biking in their neighborhoods and communities. Just as with Neighborhood Watch Programs, more eyes and ears out on the streets can result in a safer, crime-free neighborhood.
Source: http://www.usaonwatch.org (National Sheriffs’ Association Neighborhood Watch).