Media Contact: Erik Linden, DDOT, 438-7719

(Washington, DC) The District Department of Transportation (DDOT) on Wednesday will hold a pedestrian safety media event celebrating International Walk to School Day 2007 with students, parents and staff at local schools and other groups.

The purpose of Walk to School Day is to focus attention on the need for safer routes for walking and bicycling and emphasizes the importance of increasing physical activity among children, increasing pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion, concern for the environment and building connections between families, schools and the broader community.

The event will begin with kids, parents, and special guests gathering at Turkey Thicket Recreation Center to enjoy healthy snacks, special speakers, pedestrian and bicycle education activities, and the presentation of the International Walk to School Day Proclamation signed by Mayor Adrian M. Fenty. Then, children will walk to their respective schools, accompanied by parents, guests and Metropolitan Police Department (MPD) officers.

The event is being organized through a partnership between the DC Safe Kids Coalition, the District Department of Transportation, the Metropolitan Police Department, the Washington Area Bicyclist Association and other community groups.

Who		Emeka Moneme, Director, DDOT Councilmember Tommy Wells, Ward 6 Barbara Rockwood, Director, Health and Physical Education, DCPS Representatives, Fed Ex and Children’s Hospital Other invited guests
What		International Walk to School Day, 2007
When		7:30 am tomorrow October 3
Where		Turkey Thicket Recreation Center, 1100 Michigan Avenue, NE (outdoors)