Beverly Hills Unified School District and local private schools continue their "Walk to School Wednesdays" campaign this spring semester. Introduced last fall by parent Ellen Lutwak, the campaign was inspired by the international "Walk to School Program" to:

• Enhance the health of kids
• Improve air quality and the environment
• Create safer routes for walking and bicycling.

According to the National Longitudinal Study of Youth, obesity rates among children have more than doubled in the past twenty years. Walking or cycling to school is an ideal way to counter that statistic since only 10% of kids nationwide walk to school regularly. Even among those kids living within a mile of school, only 25% are regular walkers.

As more students walk to school, more opportunities to promote bicycle and walking safety emerge. Drivers are also reminded to watch for others, not just pedestrians and cyclists, while using the road.

And particularly important to Los Angeles residents, walking and bicycling help to improve our air quality. When children lace up their sneakers to walk or strap on their helmets to bike to school, they reduce the amount of air pollutants from cars.

Over 40 countries and millions of kids participate in the program. Congratulations to Beverly Hills for their continuing participation in this important program.