Supervisor Ramón Valadez, Wilbur & Wilma Wildcat to join hundreds of Los Amigos Technology Academy students on their walk to school

Tucson, AZ (September 24, 2019) – On Friday, September 27th an estimated 300+ students from Los Amigos Technology Academy will join University of Arizona mascots, Wilbur and Wilma Wildcat alongside Pima County Supervisor Ramón Valadez in their walk and bike to school together. This special event is part of the school’s ongoing walk-to-school initiative and is sponsored by Safe Routes to School (SRTS)Tucson, a program of Living Streets Alliance in partnership with the City of Tucson.

Hosting weekly Walk ‘N Roll to school days is one way that Los Amigos’ school community is making active travel an accessible option for students and their families. With the only route to school having discontinuous sidewalks, high traffic volume and speeds, and a barren dirt shoulder, the families have expressed the need to “complete” the street with amenities like sidewalks, shade trees, and buffered bikeways, as a way to make walking, biking, and even using transit a safer and more comfortable everyday option for families.

With the passage of the City of Tucson’s Proposition 407 Parks & Connections last November, families are looking forward to the future shared-use path that is planned for the south side of Drexel Road, which will include an off-street walking and biking path with shade trees, path lighting and ADA-accessible curb ramps. In the meantime, with large visible groups of walkers and bikers taking to streets like Drexel Road, the school hopes that their sizeable presence will help to signal to drivers to slow down.

For their Walk ‘N Roll with Wilbur and Wilma on Friday, September 27th, the students are excited to be accompanied by these fun-loving mascots along with Pima County Supervisor Ramón Valadez. The Desert View High School’s marching band and cheer squad will also be joining in the festivities to celebrate the school’s commitment to create a healthier community together. Tucson Police Department and Pima County Sheriff’s Department will be present to support students on their journey to school. Los Amigos staff, students, and families will assemble at the parking lot of Walmart (2565 E Commerce Center Pl.) starting at 7:30 AM. Six different “Walking School Bus” routes, including one “Bicycle Train” (groups of school children walking and biking together with grown-up leaders) will meet up at Walmart to greet special guest walkers and lead the way to Los Amigos.

Safe Routes to School (SRTS) is a national and international movement to create safe, convenient, and fun opportunities for children to bike and walk to school. On average, students can get one-fourth of their recommended daily physical activity simply by walking to school. Studies show that children who walk or bike to school arrive more alert and ready to learn. SRTS programs also reduce traffic congestion and pollution around schools, improve safety in school zones, and provide families and friends with opportunities to share time with each other and build connections within their community.

In 2014, Living Streets Alliance (LSA) kicked off the SRTS Program in partnership with the City of Tucson, to encourage more area children and families to walk and bike throughout the Tucson region. For more information, visit http://www.saferoutestucson.org

The mission of Living Streets Alliance is to advocate for a thriving Tucson by creating great streets for everyone. For more information, visit http://www.livingstreetsalliance.org

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