Schools throughout Kane County will be participating in the 2016 International Walk to School Day event on Wednesday, Oct. 5.

Walk to School Day is an annual event that highlights the importance of developing safe and easy ways to increase the physical activity that makes kids healthier. The hope is to raise awareness of the costs of chronic diseases and to make physical activity a routine part of everyone’s day.

“Events such as this can inspire and promote enthusiasm for walking and biking to school,” the Health Department says in its Health Matters newsletter. “As we know, physical activity is one way to help prevent chronic disease, which has been identified as a health priority in the Kane County Community Health Improvement Plan.”

On this day, schools from around the county, the United States, even the world, encourage students to walk or bike to school. Promoting an active lifestyle, such as walking to school, helps children get the regular activity they need, while forming healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Organized by the Partnership for a Walkable America, Walk to School Day in the USA began in 1997 as a one-day event aimed at building awareness for the need for walkable communities.

In 2000, the event became international when the U.K. and Canada (both of which had already been promoting walking to school) and the USA joined together for the first International Walk to School Day.

Kane County Fit for Kids, the Kane County Health Department and the Illinois Department of Transportation are encouraging schools throughout the state to participate in the 20th annual event on Oct. 5.

Last year, 129 schools in Illinois hosted events. Among the more notable were a “Golden Shoe Award” at an Aurora school for a class with the most walkers and a West Chicago school inviting the mayor to join students in a walk they organized.

Schools planning to participate in the event are urged to spend time instructing students on pedestrian safety. For more information and to register your event, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org.

Throughout the year, IDOT promotes walking and biking to school through the Safe Routes to School program. The department supports the program through initiatives such as new sidewalk construction, speed monitoring systems, public education and outreach programs.