International Walk to School Day goes local

Emil Usinger and his little sister Marley walked to school alongside their mother and two dogs early Wednesday morning.

“It’s a productive way to get to school,” said 10-year-old Emil. “You also get to hang out with a lot of people, and I like to walk with my dogs.”

A parade of parents, children and dogs walked from Carrboro Town Hall to Carrboro Elementary School in an effort to promote environmentally friendly transportation.

The walkers joined others around the world to celebrate International Walk to School Day, a part of International Walk to School Month.

This is the sixth year Chapel Hill-Carrboro City Schools has participated in the event. This year five schools registered to walk, including Carrboro Elementary for the first time.

“I really like cycling or walking to school more than taking the bus or driving,” Emil said.

His mother, Deborah Usinger, said her family often bicycles to school, and she supports the school’s organizing the event.

“It’s important for kids to know that they just don’t have to use cars,” she said.

Carrboro Elementary’s principal, Emily Bivins, walked with her three children and said more than 100 students from the school participated in the event.

She said the school is urging its students to walk to school once a month and participate in the international event every year as a part of the school’s improvement plan, which includes a focus on physical fitness and health.

“We are also planning on a big push in the spring for biking to school,” Bivins said. “We want to educate the kids on bike safety and hopefully have a bike to school week.”

The school would also work to get bikes for children who don’t have them, she said.

Len Cone, Chapel Hill transportation demand management coordinator, said the town promoted safety for the event through fliers and banners displaying tips for walking through town.

The five schools also held presentations for their students on how to take part in the event safely.

“Usually 250 to 800 children participate,” Cone said. “We think this year it should be closer to 800.

“Some schools aren’t able to participate because they don’t have walk zones.”

Teachers and administrators also cheered on the children with posters and banners.

“I have seen kids walk, bike, pogo-stick, Rollerblade and ride Razor scooters. It’s all great,” Cone said. “It all reduces traffic congestions, improves air quality and increases social interaction.”

The event was projected to reduce morning peak-hour traffic by 850 to 1,000 cars. Cone said the town’s main goal is to reduce traffic congestion and carbon emissions.

“It’s just a healthier, happier community when people leave their cars parked at home,” she said.

Contact the City Editor at citydesk@unc.edu.