September 20, 2002, #1

Let's Walk & Roll

Tips for Non-Drivers and Drivers Alike

October 2, 2002 is Walk & Roll to School Day. A recent Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) report shows that the number of obese children in our country has increased 53% over the last 30 years. This is an excellent time to start setting a great example about healthy lifestyles for children. As part of their recommendations, the CDC is encouraging all parents/children who live within a mile of school to walk or ride a bike.

Walking/biking to school with your child is healthy, fun and gives you a chance to spend quality time with your kids and interact with your community. Parents driving their kids to school account for 20-25% of commuter traffic, so walking to school also cuts down on the traffic congestion at the school and surrounding neighborhoods.

With this in mind, we’d like to offer walking/biking tips for parents and children that will help keep kids safe on their way to and from school.
It is important to lead by example. Don’t just tell your kids to cross at the crosswalk; do so yourself. Children will emulate your actions when they are alone.

When walking:

• Cross at a corner with a traffic signal if possible, or else use a marked crosswalk.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing. This will make sure that drivers are aware that you are about to cross in front of their cars.
• No matter who has the right of way, wait for cars to stop before stepping into the road.
• When crossing a street with more than two lanes, be extra careful that cars in middle lanes are aware you are crossing. Again, make eye contact and wait until they stop.

When cycling:

• All cyclists should wear a helmet.
• Practice riding in a playground before heading out into the “real world.”
• Teach your children to watch out for driveways.
• Children riding on sidewalks should be taught to ride slowly and watch out for pedestrians. If you ride in the street, always ride in the direction of traffic, obey the rules of the road, and watch for car doors on parked vehicles suddenly opening in front of you.
• Everyone should have a bell, and give a polite “ding” when passing pedestrians. It helps prevent walkers from being startled; cutting down on conflicts and collisions.

For those who drive:
Drivers should be aware that there are children crossing the streets and drive accordingly. Stop when you see someone waiting to cross. Slow down so that you have time to stop if need be. Don’t double park at the school. If parking is scarce, park a block or two away and walk the rest of the way with your child.

Good advice for everyone, whether walking, riding or driving: Slow down and take your time. Leave 5 minutes early so that you are not in a rush. At the end of the day, it’s better to arrive at school a couple of minutes late, than it is to be hit by, or hit someone with, a car.

Get involved: Ask your school about setting up a “Safe Route to School” (info at www.cawalktoschool.com), or take turns with your neighbors to walk a group of kids to school--think of it as a carpool where the kids get the exercise they need.

Jeff Swatman is the Alameda Police Department Traffic Sergeant. If you have questions regarding pedestrian/bicycle safety, please call him at 748-4508 extension 3342. John Knox White and Audrey Lord-Hausman work with Pedestrian Friendly Alameda (www.pedfriendly.org) and BikeAlameda (www.bikealameda.org).

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