Biking to work more than tripled in Chicago from 2000 to 2012.
Every day in Illinois, five kids are hit by cars while walking or biking within one block of a school.
In 1969, more than half of kids walked or biked to school. Today, only 13 percent report doing it. This reduction in everyday physical activity contributes to an increase in chronic diseases, like diabetes and heart disease, particularly among African Americans, Latinos, and low and moderate income communities.
We want to change these unfortunate statistics.
The Safe Routes for Healthy Kids is a statewide campaign working to make our streets safer places for kids to walk and bike to school.
Active Trans and the Safe Routes for Healthy Kids coalition are teaming up with parents, students, teachers, and other stakeholders across the state to fight for improvements to the Illinois Safe Routes to School program, which provides support for street improvements and educational programs that encourage walking and biking to school.
If we want kids to experience the benefits of getting active on their way to and from school, we need a stronger Safe Routes to School program in Illinois. We can dramatically improve the program by doing the following:
As we work closely with a coalition of state-wide organizations to make these changes, we also need your help.
Here are three ways you can support our Safe Routes for Healthy Kids Campaign today:
Safe Routes for Healthy Kids Coalition Members
Active Transportation Alliance
Alta Planning and Design
American Diabetes Association
American Heart Association
Consortium to Lower Obesity in Chicago Children
Get Up and Go
Illinois Alliance to Prevent Obesity
Illinois State Alliance of YMCAs
League of Illinois Bicyclists
Slow Roll Chicago
YMCA of Rock River Valley