As we begin a conversation on community schools, I would encourage the Wake County school board to also consider the infrastructure necessary to allow our kids access to these community schools by walking or biking.
We have neglected our bicycle-pedestrian infrastructure for more than a generation, and now we are suffering the consequences, as last week Raleigh-Cary was listed as the sixth-most dangerous urban area for pedestrians for 2007 and 2008. The time has come to take a serious look at one of the key components that make community schools so special, the ability to walk or bike to school safely.
My request is that if the school board is going to take a serious look at community schools, it should also look at how we can allow our kids bike/ped access to schools and bring back one of the best parts of the day - the walk or bike with friends.
