There are many reasons to participate in International Walk (IWALK) to School Month this October, including: increased physical activity; reducing traffic congestion, pollution and speed near schools; reclaiming neighborhoods; and spending more time with your family. Now you can add one more—the Walk Bike Ride (WBR) Challenge.

Seattle's July WBR Challenge was a huge success with about 1,000 people registering. As a result, the Challenge is now an ongoing program where people agreeing to cut two car trips per week and report them are entered in a drawing to win great prizes. Those entering the challenge get weekly emails with tips on walking, biking and riding and can track their individual progress and the program’s collective impact online. The more weeks reported the higher chance one has of winning the prize drawing. Current program prizes include:

· A Family Fun Pack to the Woodland Park Zoo . Two packs awarded. ($55 value/Pack)
· A $100 REI gift certificate
· Tickets for the Seattle Center Monorail. Two sets of eight tickets awarded. ($32 value/set)
· A $25 Curious Kidstuff toy store gift certificate
· A $100 Zipcar gift certificate

The WBR Challenge is part of the Seattle Department of Transportation’s Way to Go! Seattle program. The program offers incentives to walk, bike, ride transit and carpool more by offering incentives, tools, information and encouragement. The WBR Challenge runs on a two month cycle. The current cycle is for October and November.

The City of Seattle and Feet First, a pedestrian advocacy organization, are promoting IWALK throughout Seattle. Feet First will participate in “Walking Wednesdays” during the month of October at John Muir School in Mt. Baker; “Walk Around the World” initiative at Concord International Elementary in South Park, a teacher versus student active commuting competition at Graham Hill Elementary School; and a “Walk FROM School” event at Roxhill Elementary. Information on the WBR Challenge will be offered to students, teachers and parents as a way to encourage and reward folks choosing to walk in October and beyond.