Walk to school campaign
Encyclopedia
The Walk to School Campaign is a British
campaign promoting the benefits of walking
to school
. It is a founder member of the IWALK (International Walk to School) organisation.
The campaign is run by the charity Living streets and receives funding from the Department for Transport
and Department for Health
The campaign also developed, in conjunction with Transport for London, the WoW scheme which rewards children who walk to school regularly with a collectable enamel badge. WoW originally stood for "Walk on Wednesdays", but it developed into "Walk once a Week", and then "WoW".
In 2006, the campaign unveiled a new look, featuring the mascot "Strider" - a bright orange foot.
as part of its contribution to hosting the Environmental Transport Association
's Green Transport Week.
1996 The campaign was launched nationally by the Pedestrians Association (later Living Streets) and Travelwise, with the particular support of Dorset
and Hertfordshire councils. Originally the Walk to School week was held during Child Safety Week.
1997 Walk to School week moves to its own dedicated week at the end of May. Campaigns began in Chicago and Los Angeles in the USA.
2000 The first ever International Walk to School Day was launched with schools taking part in Canada, Great Britain, USA, Ireland, Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
2003 International Walk to School day extends into a week of activities. International Walk to School Week was supported by 33 countries including America, Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In London, the Walk to School campaign launches WoW (walk once a week) - a scheme that rewards pupils for walking all year round.
2004 The theme of the 2004 campaign was "fun and friendship" - highlighting the social benefits that parents and pupils reap from walking to school. In May, children collected old shoes to send to developing countries. In October, the campaign borrowed red carpets from the NEC (Birmingham) and the House of Lords to make walking to school extra special for the kids at the launch schools.
2005 The 2005 theme was all about health. In May, children took pieces of a Skeleton jigsaw to school, and put it together in the playground. Almost 1.5 million children took part in the May Walk to School week.
In October, school children gathered in Southwark, Devon, Manchester, Calderdale and Conwy to form giant heart shapes. The message was not only that Walking to School is good exercise for the heart, but also how much the children love walking to school!
The stunt received national TV coverage across the UK, interviewing the Campaign Coordinator and lots of the children too.
2006 The 2006 theme was about the adventure and independence that pupils can get from walking to school. The May Walk to School Week campaign featured 10 giant jigsaws, each telling the story of a childs walk to school. Children took home a piece each, and then put them together in the playground to build the whole story.
In Summer 2006, the campaign unveiled its new mascot. After 10 years, the old brand was looking a little tired, and it was time for Strider, the Walk to School foot, to make his mark.
October 2006 was the first ever International Walk to School Month. The month of activities meant it fitted around school holidays across the globe, as well as giving people time to "develop the walking habit". Over 10 million pupils, across 40 different countries took part.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
campaign promoting the benefits of walking
Walking
Walking is one of the main gaits of locomotion among legged animals, and is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults over the stiff limb or limbs with each step...
to school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
. It is a founder member of the IWALK (International Walk to School) organisation.
The campaign is run by the charity Living streets and receives funding from the Department for Transport
Department for Transport
In the United Kingdom, the Department for Transport is the government department responsible for the English transport network and a limited number of transport matters in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland which are not devolved...
and Department for Health
Activities
The Walk to School campaign coordinates National Walk to School week, at the end of May, and International Walk to School Month (October) in the UK. Each year, around 2 million primary school pupils take part. Local events are organised by school travel advisors and road safety departments, while the campaign organises the national publicity and stunts.The campaign also developed, in conjunction with Transport for London, the WoW scheme which rewards children who walk to school regularly with a collectable enamel badge. WoW originally stood for "Walk on Wednesdays", but it developed into "Walk once a Week", and then "WoW".
In 2006, the campaign unveiled a new look, featuring the mascot "Strider" - a bright orange foot.
History of the campaign in the UK
1995 The very first Walk to School week was in 1995, with just five primary schools taking part in HertfordshireHertfordshire
Hertfordshire is a ceremonial and non-metropolitan county in the East region of England. The county town is Hertford.The county is one of the Home Counties and lies inland, bordered by Greater London , Buckinghamshire , Bedfordshire , Cambridgeshire and...
as part of its contribution to hosting the Environmental Transport Association
Environmental Transport Association
The Environmental Transport Association is a United Kingdom breakdown and road rescue company, but unlike the Automobile Association or RAC plc which are perceived as pro-car, the ETA aims to raise awareness of the impact that transport has on the environment and help individuals and organisations...
's Green Transport Week.
1996 The campaign was launched nationally by the Pedestrians Association (later Living Streets) and Travelwise, with the particular support of Dorset
Dorset
Dorset , is a county in South West England on the English Channel coast. The county town is Dorchester which is situated in the south. The Hampshire towns of Bournemouth and Christchurch joined the county with the reorganisation of local government in 1974...
and Hertfordshire councils. Originally the Walk to School week was held during Child Safety Week.
1997 Walk to School week moves to its own dedicated week at the end of May. Campaigns began in Chicago and Los Angeles in the USA.
2000 The first ever International Walk to School Day was launched with schools taking part in Canada, Great Britain, USA, Ireland, Cyprus, Gibraltar and the Isle of Man.
2003 International Walk to School day extends into a week of activities. International Walk to School Week was supported by 33 countries including America, Belgium, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
In London, the Walk to School campaign launches WoW (walk once a week) - a scheme that rewards pupils for walking all year round.
2004 The theme of the 2004 campaign was "fun and friendship" - highlighting the social benefits that parents and pupils reap from walking to school. In May, children collected old shoes to send to developing countries. In October, the campaign borrowed red carpets from the NEC (Birmingham) and the House of Lords to make walking to school extra special for the kids at the launch schools.
2005 The 2005 theme was all about health. In May, children took pieces of a Skeleton jigsaw to school, and put it together in the playground. Almost 1.5 million children took part in the May Walk to School week.
In October, school children gathered in Southwark, Devon, Manchester, Calderdale and Conwy to form giant heart shapes. The message was not only that Walking to School is good exercise for the heart, but also how much the children love walking to school!
The stunt received national TV coverage across the UK, interviewing the Campaign Coordinator and lots of the children too.
2006 The 2006 theme was about the adventure and independence that pupils can get from walking to school. The May Walk to School Week campaign featured 10 giant jigsaws, each telling the story of a childs walk to school. Children took home a piece each, and then put them together in the playground to build the whole story.
In Summer 2006, the campaign unveiled its new mascot. After 10 years, the old brand was looking a little tired, and it was time for Strider, the Walk to School foot, to make his mark.
October 2006 was the first ever International Walk to School Month. The month of activities meant it fitted around school holidays across the globe, as well as giving people time to "develop the walking habit". Over 10 million pupils, across 40 different countries took part.
See also
- Crossing guardCrossing guardA crossing guard , a school crossing patrol officer , school crossing supervisor or school road patrol is a traffic management specialist who is normally stationed on busy roadways to aid pedestrians...
- Walk Safely to School DayWalk Safely to School DayWalk Safely to School Day is an annual, national event in Australia in which primary school children are encouraged to walk or communte safely to school, an initiative of the Pedestrian Council of Australia . It is held annually in May on a varying date...
- Walk to Work DayWalk to Work DayWalk to Work Day is an annual, national event in Australia in which people are encouraged to walk to work, an initiative of the Pedestrians Council of Australia . In 2008, it was held on 3 October.-See also:*Crossing guard...
- Walking busWalking busA walking bus is a form of student transport for schoolchildren who, chaperoned by two adults walk to school, in much the same way a school bus would drive them to school...