Open Streets are events that temporarily close streets to automobile traffic so people can use them for walking, biking, playing, and getting to know their neighbors. These events create a safe and fun space to practice active transportation, explore neighborhoods, and build healthy communities. Originating from Ciclovía in Bogotá, Columbia and Seattle Bicycle Sundays in Washington, Open Streets initiatives have spread to over 100 US cities.

A Walk & Roll to School Day is a special event that encourages students and their parents to try walking, bicycling, or other non-motorized ways to get to school. There are two annual events that are celebrated internationally:

• International Walk to School Day is celebrated on the first Wednesday in October.

• Bike to School Day is the first Wednesday in May, and celebrations can last all month long as part of Bike Month.

Walking school buses and bike trains are formed when a group of children accompanied by one or more adults walk or bike together to school. Routes can originate from a particular neighborhood or, in order to include children who live too far to bicycle, begin from a park, parking lot, or other meeting place (a park-and-walk). As the walking school bus continues on the route to school, the group can pick up students at designated meeting locations.

A Park and Walk program encourages families to park several blocks from school and walk the rest of the way to school. Children arriving on school buses can also be part of this program. 

Watch videos below to learn how students and organizations are using events and programs to encourage sustainable transportation and improve their commute.