Walk & Roll to School Events
Across the country, schools and communities celebrate Walk to School Month in October, and Bike to School Month in May. Schools can hold Walk and Roll to School events during these months or at other times to celebrate and encourage walking, biking, and actively rolling to school! Actively rolling refers to using a mobility device that rolls, scooting, skateboarding, and more.
Walk & Roll to School Days help to:
- Promote physical activity and encourage healthy habits.
- Improve air quality around schools by reducing traffic congestion.
- Build community with neighbors and other school families.
- Raise awareness and improve safety of students on their trip to and from school.
Plan Your Walk & Roll to School Event
Use the following resources to help you plan a Walk & Roll to School event at your school. Some resources are available in multiple languages. Some resources are different for elementary schools and middle schools.
Walk & Roll to School Day (October)🍂👟
- Planning guide for your event - includes tips and activity ideas from local school events.
- Download the Elementary School Package or Middle School Package that includes:
- Editable flyer and safety tips to print or email to families in English, Spanish, Vietnamese, Korean, Khmer, and Russian
- Editable poster to print and post at school
- Template communications with robocall, email/newsletter, and social media content in several languages
- Digital images for social media, newsletters, and websites
Bike to School Day (May) 🌱🚲
- Planning guide for your event - includes tips and activity ideas from local school events.
- Download the Bike to School Day Package that includes:
- Editable flyer and safety tips to print or email to families
- Editable poster to print and post at school
- Template communications with robocall, email/newsletter, and social media content in several languages
- Digital images for social media, newsletters, and websites
- Register your event to receive event incentives!
Winter Walk to School Day (January or February) ☔❄️
- Planning guide for your event - includes tips and activity ideas from local school events.
- Download the Winter Walk & Roll to School Package that includes:
- Editable flyer and safety tips to print or email to families
- Editable poster to print and post at school
- Template communications with robocall, email/newsletter, and social media content in several languages
- Digital images for social media, newsletters, and websites
- Register your event to receive event incentives!
More education and encouragement ideas are available in the City’s Safe Routes to School Toolkit and the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s Walk & Bike to School website. Email Cailin Henley, Safe Routes to School Coordinator with questions or ideas.
Walk & Roll to School Incentives
The City of Tacoma offers incentives to support your Walk & Roll to School event. The incentives include small promotional items (like stickers) and yard signs. Please complete the following registration form if you would like to receive the incentives.
Don't Forget - Register your event!
History and Background
Walk to School Day in the United States began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities. The event encourages students and families to try walking, bicycling, or actively rolling to school. Join the thousands of communities who participate in Walk or Bike to School events every year. Below are nationally recognized days, but your school can host an event any time during the year!
- Bike to School Day 2020 - May 4, 2022
- Walk to School Day – October 5, 2022
The individual events are combined into what is called Walk & Roll to School Day as both encourage walking, bicycling, and actively rolling to school.
