Walking School Bus

A Walking School Bus (WSB) A WSB is a group of students walking to school with at least one adult over a planned route. The goal of WSB to make it safe, convenient and fun for children to walk to and from schools, and to:   

• Reduce Student Tardiness

• Reduce Student Absenteeism

• Increase Physical Activity (students and parents)

• Increase Family Engagement

• Increase Community Volunteerism

• Promote Safe Routes to School

Studies show that fewer children are walking and biking to school, and more children are at risk of becoming overweight. Students today have become less active, less independent, and less healthy. In 1969, nearly 50 percent of all children in the United States (and nearly 90 percent of those within a mile of school) walked or bicycled to school. Today, that number has plummeted to fewer than 15 percent. In addition, during the morning commute, driving to school represents 10-14 percent of traffic on the road. 

Changing behaviors of children and parents require creative solutions that are safe and fun. Implementing a WSB can be both!

Resources: 

• The Walking School Bus: Combining Safety, Fun and the Walk to School

• Deciding If a Walking School Bus Is the Right Fit

• Starting a Walking School Bus:  The Basics

• Option 1: Starting Simple

• Option 2: Reaching Out to More Children

• Addressing Safety

• Safe Routes to Schools Training Modules: The Walking School Bus Program: A Primer and First Steps

• Keeping the Walking School Bus Going

• Measuring Impact

• Bicycle Trains

• Promising Examples

• Celebrate Your WSB Volunteers:  Action Plan (see also APS Volunteer Programs Volunteer Coordinator Toolkit) 

• Focus on Continuous Quality Improvement (CQI). 

APS Vision Zero For Youth Initiative:

• APS Vision Zero Curriculum

• In development: WSB Route Plan Mapping Form, etc. for schools