Despite the rain, there were still plenty of parents and students walking to school Wednesday morning as part of the Walk ‘n’ Wheel Wednesday initiative to help promote healthier, active lifestyles while reducing traffic congestion.
There were 45 volunteers scattered at nine of the participating Bradford elementary schools on Wednesday, including members of council, South Simcoe Police, Fire and Emergency Services, Simcoe-Muskoka District Health Unit, Healthy Communities Advisory Committee members, By-law enforcement officers, parent volunteers and town staff.
This was the town’s sixth time running the event, with the first one taking place in May 2016 as part of a two school pilot project.
Coun. Peter Dykie Jr. handed out ballots on a draw for a new bike, joined by his son Aydan, at St. Jean de Brebeuf Catholic School.
Mayor Rob Keffer was also stationed at St. Jean de Brebeuf and admitted that the wet weather on Wednesday resulted in fewer students actually walking to school, and more getting a lift from parents.
All the same, he noted, it was important “just to promote walking. If people walk to school, there’s not that many cars coming,” which is good for the environment.
St. Jean de Brebeuf is one of the schools in Bradford that encourages walking, year round.
“We are a walking school,” said Nicole Fernandes. “We have one bus.”
“I’ve been asking students why it’s important to walk to school," said Executive Assistant to the Mayor and Council, Karen Gill. Answers included “exercise” and a healthy body, but also a healthy environment. “Fewer cars means less pollution,” said Gill.
Chair of the Healthy Communities Advisory Committee, Coun. Gary Baynes led by example on Wednesday by walking the three and a half kilometres from his house to St. Angela Merici, where he and other volunteers gave out the 'I Walk to School' orange ribbons.
Mark Sheeler, from the Bradford Canadian Tire store who participated at the event, also donated two bike helmets per school for a student give away.
Sheeler has provided bike helmets for all six of the Bradford Walk ‘n’ Wheel events.
Marcus Gagliardi, from Cachet Developments, participated too by helping to hand out the ribbons at St. Angela Merici. Cachet Developments donated funds to help purchase ribbons for all schools.
The event may have been soggy, but students, parents and volunteers were happy to participate in the morning event to help encourage a more healthy, active, lifestlye.
