Little by little... One woman's experience with Walk/Ride Days

March 5, 2008

 

Walk Ride day has become an inspiration for my children and me. We are getting some much needed exercise while doing something good for the environment and spending precious time together.

We started driving/walking on the last Friday of every month when we first heard about the green streets initiative. Since then, we are not only walking longer and driving less, but we are getting to it about three times a week.

It has added very special family time to our lives. My seven year old daughter and four year old son and I have long discussions as we walk along, jump along, roll along and run along to school. Daniel asks questions like, “Does walking to school help to save the lions??” So he’s putting it together piece by piece. My daughter understands the terrible dangers posed by global warming. They are both growing a social and political conscience and this walking time has certainly enhanced it.

It has also been wonderful for my son, who gets asthma and does not have a lot of physical stamina. I can see his strength growing each week as I slowly increase the distance they are walking. My daughter’s stamina has also improved greatly, and I feel better myself, getting the blood flowing first thing in the morning.

So overall, it has truly been an enriching experience for us. We get very excited on those days when we see other passers by in their green shirts. It makes us feel a part of something bigger. For children, I think that is so important, to realize they are a part of a community of people who believe that together we can make some positive changes on this planet!