Walk and roll, don’t sit and drive

OK, parents and students: Get ready to leave the car keys at home because today is National Walk & Roll to School Day. The purpose of this event – now in its 26th year! – is to encourage people to use human-powered methods of getting to school. That means using your own legs to walk or bicycle your way to class. This year alone, the city’s transportation and public works departments have built more than 100 new pedestrian crossings “to support safer routes to schools, parks, churches and other destinations.” According to the announcement from the Transportation Department, 41 Austin schools have Walk & Roll events planned for today. We probably don’t have to tell you why walking and cycling are so much better for you and the planet than driving, but we will: “Walking and bicycling to school supports daily physical activity, helps students show up to school ready to learn and reduces congestion and air pollution.” So do a few stretches, pump up your bicycle tires or put on your sneakers, and get going.