Event celebrates a safe and healthy way to get to school and expansion of Portland Safe Routes to School’s program into middle schools

WHAT:     Thousands of school children from more than 60 schools will participate in International “Walk + Bike to School Day” on October 8, 2014, showing that it’s easy, healthy and fun to walk and bike to school.

At 8 a.m. on Oct. 8^th, City Commissioner Steve Novick, Transportation Bureau Director Leah Treat, Principal Pam Joyner and other officials will join school youth in the walk to Hosford Middle School in Southeast Portland and celebration at the school.   The Hosford celebration also marks a milestone in the popular Safe Routes to School program, marking its expansion from elementary schools to middle schools.  The program has helped expand walking and biking by elementary school students by 35% since it began in 2005.

WHO:      More than 150 students and parents walking and biking to school ; City Commissioner Steve Novick; Portland Bureau of Transportation Director Leah Treat; Hosford Principal Pam Joyner, Portland Public School Board Members Greg Belisle and Bobbie Regan; Representatives from community organizations.

WHEN and WHERE:

8 a.m. Wednesday, October 8 at Sewallcrest City Park at SE 31^st and Stephens Street: Commissioner Novick, Director Treat and other officials will meet and join the “walking school bus” to the school. 

8:15 to 8:45 a.m.  at Hosford Middle School , 2303 SE 28th Place: Officials and youth from two “bike trains” and the “walking school bus” will converge at the school, where there will be youth activities and a celebration.

Additional information may be found at http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/

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Media Contact:

Diane Dulken 503-823-5552

diane.dulken@portlandoregon.gov

Portland Bureau of Transportation

Twitter @PBOTinfo