Of the nearly 422,000 public school children in Chicago, about 90 percent walk to school. So do a substantial number of private and parochial students. To further encourage walking, and to ensure the safety of students who do, the City of Chicago is launching a Walking School Bus program.

What is a Walking School Bus?

It is a small group of students who are accompanied by one or more adults on their walks to and from school. Typically, the students live near one another. Chances are, they already walk to school, with or without adult supervision. The benefit of the Walking School Bus is that it provides a consistent, supervised system in which children can walk under the watchful eye of an adult usually the parent or care giver of one of the students. What other benefits does the program provide?

It increases safe passage of students who already walk. It encourages additional students to walk, introducing them to an important and easy form of exercise. It reduces auto traffic, particularly near schools during drop-off and pick-up times. It strengthens communities by getting people parents and students in particular to work together for a common good. It introduces children to an increasing number of caring adults.

How do you start a Walking School Bus?

Easy. Interested adults simply sign their names next to where they live on street maps displayed at the local school. Clusters of households are identified and linked with one another. Safe and enjoyable routes are mapped out. Over time, parents become the "eyes on the streets" of their neighborhood. They can identify problem intersections along the route and monitor them so children can cross safely. Crime-ridden blocks can similarly be targeted for graffiti removal, new lighting and other crime-prevention measures. Eventually, networks of safe, convenient Walking School Bus routes will evolve which provide safe passage for students and improve the safety of entire neighborhoods.

How to Start a Walking School Bus Program.

Parents, teachers, principals and neighbors can easily implement a Walking School Bus in their community. Here's how:

Form a Walking School Bus Working Group.

These are the people who will get the bus rolling. Members might include parents, students, the school principal, teachers and local block club members. Recruit Walking School Bus Drivers. Get the word out among your friends and neighbors -- particularly those with school children -- that you are forming a Walking School Bus and need their help escorting groups of children to school.

Organize the Walking School Bus Drivers.

Work out a schedule among the drivers; determine who can walk with the students and when.

Designate Walking School Bus Routes.

Identify routes. Many parents already know how best to get around their neighborhood on foot, but in some instances routes may need to be mapped out.

Promote the Walking School Bus Locally

Once you have drivers and routes available, let everyone in the neighborhood know what you are doing. The more participation, the better.