Los Angeles City Councilmember Curren Price joins John Adams Middle School students at their Walk to School event.

Being stuck in traffic while trying to get to school is no fun for parent or child. So instead of driving, how about walking — like kids did for generations? Walking — or bicycling — is an important part of leading a healthy lifestyle, and being able to start the day with a little physical activity benefits children in more ways than one.

Walktober, a month-long celebration of walking, is a great time to look into walking to school. If you’re interested in encouraging safe walking and biking to your school, there are resources available to help you learn about safety and organize Safe Routes to Schools activities.

Metro’s Safe Routes to School pilot program helps organize Walk to School and Bike to School events for 10 pilot schools and works to create a safer experience for students who already walk to school. The events provide opportunities for kids to learn about pedestrian, bicycle and public transit safety. Online resources for schools or parents to start their own Safe Routes to School programs are also available.

Schools located in the city of Los Angeles can find resources for holding their own Walk to School event at Walk to School Day LA, and all schools in Los Angeles County can find resources and information at Walk Bike to School.

Ultimately, these programs hope to create an environment where children can get active while getting to school safely. In addition, encouraging kids to walk or bike to school can help reduce congestion related to school travel, which will also benefit traffic and air quality in local neighborhoods.

If walking or biking just doesn’t work and driving the kids to class is still the best travel option for you, try carpooling. Metro School Pool alleviates traffic at schools by providing a free, voluntary and confidential service that helps parents find carpooling partners at participating elementary, middle and high school campuses throughout Los Angeles County. The carpool directory also helps parents find other parents who are interested in having their students who walk or bike to school together. For schools not currently in the carpool directory program but interested in joining, it’s easy to sign up – have your school administrator fill out a Metro Carpool Directory Enrollment Form.

Then there’s the transit option. K – 12 students can acquire a Student TAP Card to ride Metro to school at reduced rates of $1 per trip or $24 for a 30-day pass that benefits frequent riders. And getting a Student TAP Card is free!