Missoula is welcoming spring! Not only are there more flowers in bloom, but there are many more people walking and biking. Each school has numerous fun events going on the next few months. That being said, every school needs volunteers to help with their walking/biking programs. If you are interested, please contact your school for more information. Also, Missoula has a new interactive map that allows you to view bus routes, bike paths/trails, parks, and all kinds of useful transportation informations. The link for the map is in box immediately below... labeled Interactive Missoula Map. 

'Safe Routes to School' programs are spreading across the nation as a means of reducing traffic congestion, increasing physical activity and encouraging community involvement in achieving safer walking/biking routes to schools. With encouragement by the Missoula Bicycle/Pedestrian Office and the Safe Routes Steering Committee, Missoula elementary schools have gotten involved. The principle goal of the program is to get more children walking and biking to school safely. The program includes education, incentives, engineering and partnerships with parents, city government, schools and law enforcement. A key component of the program involves classroom education that teaches children traffic safety skills.  Contests and events, organized by participating schools' Safe Routes groups, encourage students and their parents to shift their travel behavior through fun community activities.

Here are some of the ways walking to school benefits you and your child:

·        Optimizes your child’s mental aptitudes

·        Help give children the exercise they need daily

·        Reduce congestion, pollution, and speed near schools

·        Raise awareness of “walkability” and where improvements can be made

·        Create and deepen relationships

·        Save you money – If it costs 44 cents a mile to drive a car and you drive 190 round-trips to your school at 3 miles per trip. That equals $250 per year!

·        Reduce fuel consumption for our environment

·        Slow life down and gives us time to relax

·        Create memories

·        It's a great way to exercise pets