Philadelphia students join communities across the U.S. in walking, rolling, and cycling to school
PHILADELPHIA – Today, the City of Philadelphia, led by Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) programs Safe Routes Philly and Vision Zero Philadelphia, joined the School District of Philadelphia in participating in National Walk & Roll to School Day. The students were accompanied by family members, caregivers, school officials, and community leaders in an event spotlighting the benefits of active transportation and the joy our kids experience by simply walking and biking to school.
Today also marks the kick-off of Walktober 2025, a project of Safe Routes Philly, the city’s youth bicycle and pedestrian safety education program. Walktober is a month-long walk and roll to school challenge, lasting from October 8 until Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14. During Walktober, Safe Routes Philly will support schools that have or are interested in starting weekly biking and walking school buses.
“We’re excited for our families to participate in Walk & Roll to School Day because it is more than just a way to get to school,” said Mr. Jean-Pierre Forte, Climate Manager, Edward Gideon Elementary School. “Participating in Walk & Roll to School Day encourages physical activity and improves attendance and connection between school and community. When our students and families actively travel together, it builds a wonderful sense of community while promoting healthy habits and strengthening the connections between our school and the families we serve.”
“The walking school bus has become a staple at Gideon”, said Greg Wright, Gideon School’s Community Coordinator. “I imagined it as a way to get students to school safely and on time, and it has evolved into so much more. The community is all in on Gideon’s walking school bus! They honk their horns in support, encourage us to keep walking with students, and thank us for getting these students to school safely.”
This year’s Walk and Roll to School Day event saw participation from a variety of Philadelphia schools, including:
- Bache-Martin School in Fairmount
- Edward Gideon School in Strawberry Mansion
- George W. Nebinger School in Bella Vista
- Penn Alexander School in Spruce Hill
- Southwark School in South Philadelphia
- William M. Meredith School in Queen Village
“Today was special because we celebrated Gideon Elementary, one of the first schools to work with Safe Routes Philly and begin a regular walking school bus program,” said Peter DeCarolis, Coordinator, Safe Routes Philly. “That the program is still here today is a huge testament to the work of their community coordinator, Greg Wright. By ensuring Gideon’s students have the choice to use active modes of transportation, Greg has helped create a school community that is safer, cleaner, and greener not only for its students, but the entire neighborhood. Gideon is a model for other schools to follow who want to provide their students with an exciting way to start off their day while building healthy habits, community connections, and academic achievement.”
According to the National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRS), one-time events like Bike and Roll to School Day can increase the number of students who utilize active travel to get to school even weeks after the day of the event. Research also shows that combining traffic calming, like speed cushions, with the educational resources Safe Routes can provide is the most effective way to increase the number of families choosing active transportation. Not only does walking and biking to school improve attendance and academic performance, it ties the school more closely to the community it serves.
“Events like National Walk & Roll to School Day highlight the important relationships between a school and its community,” said Sharon Ward, Deputy Chief Education Officer. “I’m happy to join the students at Gideon today as they experience the joys and benefits of developing healthier habits that support academic success.”
This marks the first year Safe Routes Philly will celebrate Ruby Bridges Walk to School Day on November 14. Students across Philadelphia and around the county will gather not only to walk to school, but to honor Ruby Bridges, the first student in the country to desegregate what had been an all-white elementary school. Safe Routes Philly asks that Philadelphians keep an eye out for our city’s youngest commuters as they walk, bike, and roll to school in Walktober and throughout the school year.
For more information, visit the Safe Routes Philly and Vision Zero Philadelphia webpages.