Why This Work Matters

Over the past few decades, fewer and fewer children have been walking or biking to school. Even kids who live within a mile of school now walk or bike half as often as they used to. This has led to less physical activity, less independence, and kids arriving at school less regulated and less ready to learn.

In 1969, nearly half of all children in the US walked or biked to school. Today, that number is less than 15%. A lot has changed over the past 50 years: more traffic, bigger cars, and infrastructure that hasn't kept up with these changes. When the roads feel unsafe for children to ride alone to school, and bus services are cut, driving becomes the only option. Children miss out on important developmental experiences and the cost of transportation is passed onto families.