Fall is a season of change. The leaves are turning, the temperatures are getting cooler, and families are settling into the rhythm of a new school year. As routines take shape, October is a great time to try something new. Why not add a little more movement to the journey to and from school? Walk one morning, bike with a friend or park a few blocks away and walk the rest. You might be surprised by how easily active travel can become part of your day.
Celebrate International Walk to School Month
There’s no better time to give it a try. Every October, communities across Canada and around the world celebrate International Walk to School Month by encouraging more students and families to walk, bike and wheel to school.
And many families are already on the move. According to ParticipACTION (2024), 43% of children and youth in Canada use active travel for at least part of their school journey. Throughout October, our friends at Green Communities Canada are sharing resources and ideas to help communities celebrate those everyday trips and encourage even more families to give active school travel a try.
The best part? It doesn’t have to be all or nothing. Walk or wheel from home, park a few blocks away, or add a little movement to your usual commute. Every active trip counts.
Whether it’s the whole journey or just part of the way, every active trip counts.
At Ever Active, we believe there’s a lot to gain from the journey itself. Walking, biking and wheeling give children and youth opportunities to be active, spend time outside, build independence and experience their neighbourhoods in a different way.
Active travel also creates opportunities for connection. Along the way, a conversation with a friend, a wave to a neighbour or a familiar face can help build relationships and strengthen a sense of belonging within the community.
Give it a Try:
So, where do you start? A little planning can make active travel easier and more enjoyable.
- Check the Weather: Dress for the conditions and keep an extra layer, rain jacket or mittens handy for changing fall weather.
- Give Yourself Time: Leave a few minutes earlier so the trip feels relaxed rather than rushed.
- Choose Your Route: Look for sidewalks, pathways, marked crossings and quieter streets. Practice unfamiliar routes together ahead of time.
- Pick a Meeting Spot: Choose a familiar place where friends or neighbours can meet and travel the rest of the way together.
- Celebrate Your Trips: Keep track of your walks, rides and rolls and celebrate how many you complete throughout the month.
When a Small Change Becomes Something Bigger
Trying a new way of getting to school can lead to more than you might expect. The daily trip can be a chance to spend time with others, meet neighbours and build a stronger sense of belonging.
Want to explore this idea further? Our PodClass episode, The Joyful Commute: Connection, Community and the Power of Bike Bus, looks at how active school travel can create more opportunities for connection, community and joy.
This October, switch up your commute. You might be surprised by what you discover along the way.
References:
ParticipACTION. (2024). The ParticipACTION report card on physical activity for children and youth. ParticipACTION.
https://www.participaction.com/the-science/children-and-youth-report-card/
Written by Jenn Mireau
