Pima County, Ariz. (Oct. 4, 2011) – Adults can join millions of others around the world and walk to school with their children on International Walk to School Day, Wednesday, Oct. 5.

The event is held each year to encourage active ways for children to get to school and to improve air quality around schools and in neighborhoods.

A record 49 local schools are participating this year in Pima County’s Walk to School Day. Many of these schools received special training from the Pima County Department of Transportation or Safe Kids Tucson, a program that works to enhance child safety.

Walking and bicycling improve health through physical activity, help reduce obesity, reduce traffic congestion, and provide family members with an opportunity to spend quality time with each other and to connect with neighbors.

For more information, visit www.walktoschool.org

The Pima County Department of Transportation, Safe Kids Tucson, and the Pima County Department of Environmental Quality’s Clean Air Program are working together to encourage children, parents and guardians to take part in “International Walk to School Day.”