Non-profit organization Walk ‘n Rollers will host a free outdoor event on Saturday, March 18 in Downtown Culver City, as they celebrate 11 years in existence.
The family-oriented festival will take place on Main Street, and they say it will “feature activities and exhibitions such as bike skills workshops, a group ride, historical walk of downtown Culver City, roller skating demos, a bike swap, a live mural art exhibition, free bike helmet distribution, and more.” Registration is required in advance.
In addition, Walk ‘n Rollers will be awarding a Golden Sneaker award to Aaron Paley, CicLAvia founder and current president of Creative Arts Resources (CARS).
“Each year the Golden Sneaker Award honors a mobility champion of Southern California,” they say. “Previous recipients include former Culver City Mayor Meghan Sahli-Wells and Los Angeles County Supervisor Holly J. Mitchell.”
Sponsors of the event include Pocrass & De Los Reyes LLP, Culver City Rotary Foundation, The Wende Museum, Helms Bakery District, The City of Culver City, Prevelo Bikes, Automobile Club of Southern California (AAA), Footnote Group, Boeshields T-9 and Armand’s Discount Fireplaces. To get information about sponsorships, volunteer opportunities or donations, visit walkmorebikemore.org/aaniversary.
“It is important we build a future where children today understand you do not have to drive door-to-door everyday,” said Jim Shanman, founder and executive director of Walk ‘n Rollers, in a statement. “By providing children with education and encouragement to walk, bike or use transit safely and responsibly to and from school, we are helping fight climate change and develop life skills such as good decision making, time management and community awareness. We are inherently teaching children to be part of the solution towards safer, healthier communities”
Walk ‘n Rollers is a 501(C)3 non-profit organization focused on Safe Routes to School programming.
“Considering that up to 25% of more congestion is due to school traffic, and effects from climate change are worsening, it’s never been more critical to encourage families to drive less. In the U.S., 13% of school-aged children walk or bike to school, compared to 50% in 1970,” a statement reads. “As a result, kids get less exercise, and obesity and heart-related health issues have risen dramatically. Furthermore, traffic crashes are a leading cause of accidental death to children under the age of 18, surpassed only by gun violence.”
For more information, visit walkmorebikemore.org.