As they so often do, children will set the example for the rest of us Friday when they get to school the old-fashioned way. South School students, participating in a Safe Routes to School event, will walk and bike that day.
Sidewalks have been installed to make the trip safer, a move many have promoted, particularly in the area of South, Saxe and New Canaan High, as well as along the rest of South Avenue. Selectmen Tuesday approved the installation of additional sidewalks and ramps, compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, downtown and in Mill Apartments. Pedestrian access downtown needs to be improved, especially if more people will be staying put in New Canaan.
Other than auto makers and oil companies, few would see any down side in reducing the number of cars on the road.
Pollution will certainly be reduced, at least a little, appropriate for the week in which Earth Day is observed. Regardless of one’s belief or doubt in global warming, is there any reason to oppose being a better steward of the Earth?
Physical fitness is another area Safe Routes targets. Childhood obesity and diabetes are at epidemic levels because children ride everywhere and spend recreation time seated with video games rather than actively playing outside as much as youngsters once did. Anything that encourages anyone to exercise a little more is a good thing.
And those who don’t live close enough to their jobs to walk will face less traffic, wasting less gas and reducing emissions created while idling.
Safe Routes to School has a lot of upsides. But for it to have any lasting effect, it needs to become a pattern of behavior, not a promotion day. The Town needs to install the needed infrastructure and instill the needed desire to make it happen.
© Copyright 2008 by Hersam Acorn Newspapers
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