This fall, the 2020–2021 recipients of our Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship share some of the most important work they've done over the past year.

You’ve probably heard of the “freshman 15,” a colloquialism referring to students that put on weight when they get to college and discover the bounty of the dining hall. Suzannah Stivison, a pediatric nurse practitioner in Kensington, Maryland, refers to “the other COVID-19” as the concerning trend of weight gain that some people have experienced.

Students are no exception, and researchers have shown that children often gain weight during extended breaks, like summer vacation. Body mass index studies of kindergarteners through second graders found a 2.6% increase in obesity (11.5%) and a 5.4% increase in students being overweight over the summer breaks. The rate of body mass index change in children nearly doubled from March to November 2020, compared to the rate of BMI change before the pandemic, according to a study published by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.

Promoting a more active lifestyle and a safer school commute

While there are different reasons for this trend, one way to keep your children and yourself healthy is to walk or bike (or roll by skateboard) to school. The Corvallis School District (CSD) in Oregon has encouraged students to walk and bike to school for the past two decades. All fifth grade students participate in a weeklong bicycle safety class, which will soon be expanded to include other grades.

Students who’ve never ridden a bike before the training beam with pride after learning to be able to do so safely. Working with the City of Corvallis and its Department of Transportation, CSD has also been involved with a program called Safe Routes to School. This nationwide program focuses on expanding bicycle lanes, addressing vehicle speed issues and ensuring that intersections are safe.

There is a plethora of benefits to commuting to and from school in an active and healthy way. First, it’s fun to ride a bike! Kids also get a better sense of their community—riding gives them time to socialize with friends and gain a sense of independence while establishing a healthy lifestyle and contributing to a cleaner world. Additionally, walking or biking to school is good for the lungs, heart, joints, muscles and bones, as well as the most important part of growing bodies, the brain.

“Walking and biking to school is a great way for kids to get the physical activity needed for healthy minds," says Jennifer Rupert, M.D., from Portland. "Kids who are more physically active have better academic performance. Studies are also beginning to show that exposure to nature and free outdoor play can reduce stress and relieve ADHD symptoms.”

Getting students excited about bicycle transportation

In answer to the prompt, "I like to bike to school because…", students said:

Riding a bike is amazing! My dad fixed my bike, and now I love riding my bike to school and around town! —Sanjana
Riding a bike is a very good skill. Knowing how to be safe, responsible, predictable and anticipate while riding a bike is something all kids should learn. —Lacey
I liked bike class because I learned the rules of the road. To me, that was the most beneficial for my biking future. —Javier
I like to ride my bike to school because it’s fun. We learned how to correctly use traffic rules and be safe in Bike Education class. —Quinn

Contributing to a greener and healthier future

In addition to the health benefits that come from riding or walking to school, when students take alternative transportation, there are fewer cars emitting toxins, which are known or suspected to cause cancer. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, “Monitoring at schools has shown elevated levels of benzene, formaldehyde, acetaldehyde and other air toxics during the afternoon hour, coinciding with parents picking up their children. Children’s lungs are still developing, and when they are exposed to elevated levels of these pollutants, children have an increased risk of developing asthma, respiratory problems and other adverse health effects.” This is why CSD has implemented a no-idling policy.

Of course, there are also many environmental benefits to walking and biking. In 2012, the City of Corvallis conducted a community greenhouse gas inventory that shows that 11.6% of the city's collective emissions come from vehicles. A simple change of lifestyle could make a significant impact on a family’s carbon impact and help CSD achieve its sustainability goals.

Parents may understandably have concerns about their child’s safety when walking or biking to school. To address this, chaperone groups create “Walking School Buses” or “Bicycle Trains,” which are more visible to motorists and help to create a fun routine. In collaboration with the Oregon Cascades West Council of Governments, CSD has created maps for each elementary school currently being renovated and updated.

At the community scale, the City of Corvallis has been working to create a network of nearly 100 car-free paths that are safer for walking and biking, which is a good companion to its bike map (English/Spanish). The city also has an electric bicycle grant program for residents with lower incomes, and is an active planner of the Open Streets Corvallis summer celebration. The Corvallis Bicycle Collective is another good resource and an affordable way to get people cycling when families don't already own bicycles.

Many schools have a monthly "Walk-Bike-and-Roll to School" program organized by parent volunteers. To find out if your school has a program, contact your school district or visit the National Center for Safe Routes to School site. Together, we can help our students embrace a healthier and more sustainable way to live.

Learn more about the Leaders in Sustainability Fellowship recipients

Encouraging students to get active by walking or biking to school