Melrose and Wakefield, MA (May 12, 2014) – Melrose and Wakefield elementary and middle schools joined hundreds of schools from across the Commonwealth to celebrate Massachusetts Walk and Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.
Walton School Photos:
Over 3000 Melrose and Wakefield elementary and middle school students and family members walked and rolled to school last Wednesday. Thank you to principals, PTO’s, school nurses, Chartwells and all others that helped make the day such a success!
Winthrop School Photos:
Walk to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.
Walk to School Day is a collaboration between MA Department of Public Health’s Mass in Motion and the Massachusetts Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School program which is federally funded by the Federal Highway Division. The program is designed to create safer streets, promote physical activity, and build sustainable environments in over 170 communities throughout Massachusetts. Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield represents 2 of 52 communities across the Commonwealth grant funded to promote healthy eating and active living for youth and adults.
For additional information, please visit these websites:
Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield www.MiMmelrosewakefield.com
Mass in Motion (statewide) www.mass.gov/massinmotion
Massachusetts Safe Routes to School www.mass.gov/massdot/saferoutes
Walk to School Day in the USA www.walkbiketoschool.org
National Center for Safe Routes to School www.saferoutesinfo.org
International Walk to School Day www.iwalktoschool.org
About the City of Melroses’ Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee:
After twenty years, the City of Melrose recently re-established the Pedestrian and Bicycle Advisory Committee. The Committee, with support from Mayor Dolan, will be working throughout Melrose to improve conditions for pedestrians and bicyclists in the City and promote walking and bicycling as a means of transportation.
The Committee has been charged with the following goals and activities:
- Enhance Melrose’s reputation as a prime commuter city;
- Establish Melrose as a Walk Friendly community;
- Organize and participate in public events such as bike rodeos;
- Support Safe Routes to School initiatives such as walk to school days;
- Search for pedestrian and bicycle grant opportunities;
- Provide City departments with walkability & bikeability tools and resources;
- Create materials to encourage walking and bicycling in the city
The Pedestrian and Bicycle Committee is made up of residents, City staff from the Health Department, the Planning and Community Development Office, the Police Department, and the Department of Public Works, and is in partnership with Mass in Motion-Melrose/Wakefield and the Melrose Energy Commission.