'International Walk to School Day' highlights benefits of safe school commute

WASHINGTON - Walk and bike to school safely! That's the goal of International Walk to School Day!

What began 20 years ago as a one-day event has become part of a movement for year-round safe routes to school.

Held every October, International Walk to School Day involves communities from more than 40 countries.

In the District, Mayor Muriel Bowser's Vision Zero initiative to eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries shares many of the same objectives that the day seeks to highlight.

The Mayor's office says that walking and biking to school can ease congestion by having less traffic on the streets which can be a primary factor in leading to a safer commute.

ONLINE: WalkBikeToSchool.org