To the editor:

The Heart Network encourages families, schools and communities across the North Country to participate in the 11th annual National Bike and Roll to School Day on Oct. 12, a national event celebrating safe, active transportation to and from school and promoting accessible spaces for all active trips.

More than 1,600 communities in 46 states have registered to participate in this year’s Bike and Roll to School Day. Coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, this event emphasizes the importance of year-round safe routes to school and encourages walking, biking and other forms of active transportation as a way for kids and families to incorporate physical activity into their daily routines.

To incentivize schools to participate this year, the National Center for Safe Routes to School has teamed with LaScoota and Magneto to offer a giveaway for a fleet of 30 scooters and helmets or a skateboard and helmet package. All schools that register a local event will be entered into the drawing.

The Heart Network’s Creating Healthy Schools and Communities program works year-round to promote nutrition and physical activity in school and community settings, as well as in early childcare programming. Our team is committed to working with partners to increase opportunities for safe, active transportation as a way to improve quality of life and community health. If you want help signing up your school for Bike and Roll to School Day, get in touch: kharkins@heartnetwork.org. To learn more about this event, visit walkbiketoschool.org.

Sincerely,

Kat Harkins

Project coordinator,

Creating Healthy Schools and Communities

The Heart Network