Walk to School Day

International Walk to School Day celebrated its 15th year. Wednesday. The 2011 slogan is “Hike it. Bike it. I like it!”

More than 160 schools across the state had special events, according to Acting Illinois Transportation Secretary Ann L. Schneider.

“Getting young people interested in walking and biking is so important to establishing lifelong, healthy habits,” Schneider said. “Events such as these are great first steps in that process.”

Walk to School Day started in Chicago in 1997, and has grown into a worldwide effort. The Partnership for a Walkable America sponsored the first National Walk Our Children to School Day, according to walktoschool.org. It was a day to bring community leaders and children together to walk safely to and from school and promote healthy behavior.