October 7, 2009 – Today, Mayor Lynn Peterson led the celebration of International Walk to School Day by guiding a “walking school bus” to St. Bernard School. Students, parents, school board officials, and the Active & Safe Routes to School Committee joined the Mayor in challenging Thunder Bay elementary school students to Get Active & Walk to School.

International Walk to School Day is a worldwide event that involves millions of children walking or biking to school to raise awareness of the many benefits of active transportation. In Thunder Bay, schools from the Thunder Bay Catholic District School Board and Lakehead Public School Board registered to participate. St. Bernard School was randomly drawn to host today’s event.

“This is such a wonderful way to emphasize the importance of increasing physical activity among children and to highlight pedestrian safety,” says Mayor Lynn Peterson. “I am thrilled that students and parents are demonstrating that any reduction of vehicles on our roads benefits our environment and, at the same time, builds connections between families, schools and the broader community.”

A recent study found that 75% of Ontario elementary school children would prefer walking or cycling to school. Further, more than 82% of Canadian children under age 11 live within walking distance of school, but only a fraction get there on their own steam. More noteworthy, up to 90% of inactive children will continue to be sedentary as adults.

“We have become so accustomed to the convenience of using a vehicle for most of our common errands,” said Stasia Starr, Public Health Nurse at the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. “We need events like this to remind ourselves and our children that walking is easy, fun and a great way to stay healthy.”

“Children actually breathe three times more air than adults do, per pound of body weight, and therefore breath three times more pollution too," said Heather Shaver of EcoSuperior. “Every car trip that we make is contributing to this air pollution.”

The Active & Safe Routes to School Committee is made up of representatives from the City of Thunder Bay, EcoSuperior and the Thunder Bay District Health Unit. Further information about International Walk to School Day can be found at www.saferoutestoschool.ca.