Let’s walk to school – an active mode of transport

Hafnarfjörður´s schoolchildren walk to school

Engidalsskóli, Hvaleyrarskóli and Öldutúnsskóli are among the schools participating in the Walk to School project (Göngum í skólann) this autumn. The campaign was launched for the 18th time on the 4th of September. It officially ends with the International Walk to School Day on Wednesday, October the 2nd. It is based on the foreign model, International Walk to School.

The aim of the project is to encourage children to adopt an active mode of transport to and from school and to improve their ability to travel safely in traffic. Walking, biking or using other means of transport to and from school, encourages physical activity and educates children about the benefits of regular exercise.

Encouragement to live a healthy lifestyle

With the annual Walk to School campaign, the intention is to encourage a healthy lifestyle for the whole family, as exercise works against lifestyle-related diseases, promotes stress relief and a better self-image. The goal is also to increase children’s ability to walk safely to and from school and teach them the rules on traffic safety while walking and cycling. In addition, the goal is to reduce traffic to schools and promote better and cleaner air as well as safer and more peaceful streets and neighborhoods. At the same time, it is being promoted to raise awareness of modes of transport and environmental issues: how “walk-friendly” the environment is and where improvements are needed.

Millions walking together around the world

Every year, millions of children in over 40 countries around the world take part in Walk to School in one way or another. In Iceland, participation has grown steadily, in the first year there were 26 participating schools, but a total of 84 schools registered in 2023. There are currently 63 schools on the campaign’s website, but the number will no doubt increase in the coming days.

Walk to school was formally set at Brekkuskóli in Akureyri this year. Ragnhildur Skúladóttir, Head of the Education and Public Sports Division of ÍSÍ, gave a short speach, but the National Olympic and Sports Association of Iceland, the Ministry of Education and Children, the Directorate of Health, the National Commissioner of the Icelandic Police, ICE-SAR, the Icelandic Transport Authority and the National Association for Home and School are responsible for the project in Iceland.

• Here you can register your school.

Indeed, we are proud of all the children who take the opportunity to walk or bike to school when possible!