Thousands of elementary and middle school-aged children will celebrate Walk and Bicycle to School Day by participating in events promoted through the Commonwealth’s Safe Routes to School Program on Wednesday, May 2, 2012.

“Students who have the option to walk or bike to school should absolutely do it,” said Governor Deval Patrick “It’s a great way for them to get physical activity, fresh air and time with their friends or family so they can arrive to school ready to learn.”

Last year, 162 schools from across the Commonwealth participated in this event, making it the largest yet. Since then, MassDOT’s Safe Routes to School program has added more than 100 new partner schools.

In the Safe Routes to School program, the Massachusetts Department of Transportation (MassDOT) works with students, parents, school staff and local police departments across the Commonwealth to promote walking and bicycling to school.