City of Dubuque Encourages Residents to Observe National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 7

FRIDAY, MAY 2

The City of Dubuque, in conjunction with the Dubuque Safe Routes to Schools Committee, encourages students to walk, bike, scooter, or skateboard to school on National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day, which will be observed on Wednesday, May 7.

Students from all Dubuque Community and Holy Family Catholic schools are encouraged to use a form of active transportation on their way to school on May 7. Nine Dubuque schools have already indicated their participation, which is the highest number to date.

National studies show only about 11% of students in kindergarten through eighth grade walk or bike to school each day, down from 48% in 1969.

The Dubuque Safe Routes to Schools Committee seeks to increase the number of students walking, biking, or rolling to school. These forms of active transportation have numerous health benefits, including:

Improved physical health and mental well-being
Increased student learning outcomes
Reduced traffic congestion
Strengthened community connection
Better air quality and lowered emissions

The Dubuque Safe Routes to Schools Committee is a partnership which includes the Dubuque Community School District, the City of Dubuque, the Safe Routes to School Manager for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition, and the East Central Intergovernmental Association.

National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day events are intended to raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for walking and bicycling, while emphasizing the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, traffic congestion, and concern for the environment. The events build connections between families, schools, neighborhoods, and the broader community.

Additional information can be found on the National Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day website: WalkBiketoSchool.org For more local information, contact Jason Duba with the Dubuque Safe Routes to Schools Committee by calling 563.589.4223 or emailing jduba@cityofdubuque.org

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