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Celebrating International Walk 2 School Day

October 1 is International Walk to School Day-but here in San José, the celebration lasts all month long! Throughout October, schools across the city are joining together to encourage students and families to walk, bike, or roll to school. These efforts help reduce traffic, build healthy habits, and make our streets and neighborhoods safer for everyone.

A big thank you to everyone who is making this celebration such a success, especially:

International Walk to School Day may be just one day on the calendar, but the movement continues. We encourage everyone to keep walking, biking, and rolling to school all year long to build healthier communities and safer streets.

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month!

For Students: Stay Safe While Walking

October is National Pedestrian Safety Month, and it's a great time to remember safe walking habits. Always use sidewalks when you can or walk facing traffic if there isn't one. Cross at crosswalks or corners and look both ways before stepping into the street. Make eye contact with drivers so they know you're crossing. Keep phones in your pocket and keep the volume low on headphones-staying alert helps you stay safe!

For Parents & Drivers: Watch for Pedestrians

This month also reminds drivers to help keep students safe. Slow down in school zones and neighborhoods, stop for people in crosswalks, and avoid distractions like phones. Remember that kids may be harder to see, especially in the early mornings and evenings. By staying alert and driving carefully, you help make San José streets safer for everyone walking, rolling, and biking!

Stay Safe with the Time Change: Walking, Biking, and Driving Tips

Daylight Saving Time ends on Sunday, November 3rd. When the clocks "fall back" an hour, it will get darker much earlier in the evening-and mornings will stay darker for longer. This means it can be harder to see and be seen when walking, biking, or driving to and from school. Here are some tips to help keep everyone safe:

Be Bright, Be Seen
Wear bright or reflective clothing so drivers can see you more easily. Adding reflective tape or gear to your backpack, jacket, or bike is an easy way to stand out in low light.

Use Lights
If you are biking, remember it's the law to have a white front light and a red rear reflector when riding after dark.

Stay Alert at Crosswalks
Always make sure cars stop completely before you step into the street. Stop, look both ways and make eye contact with drivers when you can-never assume they see you.

No Distractions
Put your phone away and avoid wearing headphones. You need to hear traffic and pay attention to your surroundings at all times.

Plan Ahead
Because it will be darker in the mornings for a few weeks, leave a little earlier so you don't have to rush. Taking your time helps you stay safe.

2026 Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition - Middle School

The 2026 Garrett Morgan Sustainable Transportation Competition, hosted by the Mineta Transportation Institute at San José State University, invites middle school teams to create fun and engaging peer-to-peer video campaigns on safe e-bike use. With the theme Ride On, Ride Safe-E-Bike Style!, students will highlight safe riding practices and advocate for safety education in their schools and communities. Winning teams can earn up to $1,000 for their classroom, club, or program, plus an all-expenses-paid trip to San José to be recognized at the MTI Awards Banquet, while educators receive a $500 honorarium, classroom resources, and project support. Learn more at transweb.sjsu.edu/workforce-development/garrett-morgan-program