Safe Routes to School Challenges Connecticut Students to Walk It and Bike It to School

Safe Routes to School Challenges Connecticut Students to Walk It and Bike It
to School
Teachers Encouraged to Register Classrooms for Statewide Program

NEWINGTON, Conn., Sept. 15 /PRNewswire/ -- The Connecticut Department of
Transportation would like to announce that the Safe Routes to School (SRTS)
Program will celebrate International Walk to School Day on October 7, 2009
with the launch of the "Walk It Bike It to School Connecticut!" contest.
Students are challenged to walk or bike to and from school while competing
against other classrooms across the state to see who can be the first to walk
or bike the distance of the perimeter of Connecticut, 375 miles.

"Walk It Bike It to School Connecticut!" encourages children, parents, schools
and communities to set up safe and convenient biking and walking routes for
students. All Connecticut public and private school students (Grades K-8) of
all physical ability levels are eligible and encouraged to participate.
Children with disabilities are encouraged to participate.

Starting October 7, 2009, teachers or other school faculty can register their
class online at www.walkitbikeitct.org, where they can track their progress.

"Walking or biking to school is a healthy and feasible alternative to taking
motorized transportation," says Sharon Okoye, Connecticut's Safe Routes to
School Coordinator. "I am very excited to kick off this fun initiative, which
will give students and families even more motivation and inspiration to walk
or bike to school."

Prizes will be awarded midway through the school year to the first three
classes in the state to complete 375 miles. In May 2010, the three classes
that log the highest total number of miles will be recognized and awarded
prizes.

Visit www.walkitbikeitct.org for registration and other information.

What is the Safe Routes to School Program?
The SRTS Program was established in August 2005 as part of Safe, Accountable,
Flexible, and Efficient Transportation Equity Act: A Legacy for Users
(SAFETEA-LU). The objective of this federally funded initiative is to
encourage more students in grades kindergarten to eighth grade (Grades K-8) to
walk and bike to school, as opposed to other transportation alternatives;
thereby encouraging a more healthy lifestyle. General program information is
available on the Connecticut SRTS website: www.ctsaferoutes.org. Questions can
be forwarded to the Safe Routes to School Coordinator, Ms. Sharon Okoye, via
e-mail at sharon.okoye@ct.gov.
SOURCE Connecticut Department of Transportation

Meghan Burns of Adams & Knight for Connecticut Department of Transportation,
+1-860-676-2300 ex. 133, Meghan.burns@adamsknight.com