The students at Bailey Lake Elementary School hit the pavement on bike and on foot to demonstrate their knowledge of outdoor safety. And to do one other important task: Get to school.
For the third year in a row on Oct. 6, BLE participated in ‘Walk and Bike to School Day,? an international event that promotes safe commuting conditions in local communities. This year’s event drew its highest turnout to date with more than 100 bikers and close to 100 walkers making their way to school that day instead of going on buses or cars.
‘Every year we get higher and higher,? Laura Markarian, event coordinator, said.
On the state level, the Governor’s Council for Physical Fitness partners with the event and sends out surveys to Michigan schools, such as Clarkston, to get an idea of road and commuting conditions in various cities.
Common responses have included fast cars in neighborhoods and not enough sidewalks. The survey also asks parents to rate their community’s lighting, vacant lots and even the presence of ‘scary? dogs in neighbors.
‘The surveys give us a vast idea if your community is a walkable community,? Markarian said.
Last year BLE parents found that neighborhoods around the school had problems with easements on local sidewalks. The issue was brought to Independence Twp. and resolved, much to the excitement of the BLE community.
Markarian enjoyed seeing the growth at this year’s event. She believes close to 90 percent of the school’s students are bussed.
‘It’s a fun thing to see that many kids participating,? Markarian said. ‘It’s always nice to see more and more kids.?
To promote the event, coordinators send home stickers and information to parents to check out sidewalks and routes in advance.
In addition to the activity itself, the school has presented special assemblies on safety topics, such as helmet use, in the past.
To learn more about this event, visit www.walktoschool.org.