Governor Dayton declares October Safe Routes to School Month

The Minnesota Department of Health announced today that Governor Dayton has declared October Safe Routes to School Month to highlight the benefits of walking and bicycling to school. Research shows that kids who walk or bicycle to school are healthier and arrive more focused and ready to learn.

Across Minnesota, Safe Routes to School is a growing movement that has more than 115 schools reaching more than 78,000 students and staff to support more active and healthier lifestyles.

Minnesota's Commissioners of Health, Education and Transportation spoke out on the issue:

"Walking and bicycling to school is a great way to find time to get physically active," said Dr. Ed Ehlinger, Minnesota Commissioner of Health. "The whole community benefits when more kids walk and bicycle to school."

"Healthy kids are better learners," said Minnesota Education Commissioner Brenda Cassellius. "By encouraging children to walk and ride their bikes to school - and by modeling those activities as adults - we're helping them establish lifelong patterns of fitness that will benefit them in school and at work."

"Walking and bicycling are important components of a complete transportation system and of Minnesota's quality of life," said Transportation Commissioner Tom Sorel. "People of all ages deserve to arrive at their destinations safely, no matter what mode they choose."