Lacey City Council promotes safer school commutes  

The Lacey City Council proclaimed October as Walk to School Month, as a means to promote safer travel to schools and encourage healthy transportation habits. 

A proclamation was presented during a council meeting on Oct. 6. It encourages all community members to choose active transportation when possible and to drive responsibly in and around school zones. 

The City of Lacey is investing in bicycle lanes, trails, sidewalks and improved street crossings to improve connections between neighborhoods and schools.  

According to the proclamation, walking and biking give children and families a chance to connect with their community. The proclamation also notes that parents, caregivers, educators and residents can promote safety by teaching and modeling responsible pedestrian and bicycling behavior. 

Bicycle safety education 

Intercity Transit Walk N Roll Program Supervisor Kerri Wilson discussed several educational activities at the meeting. The program aims to make walking, biking, rolling and riding public transit more accessible. 

One of the activities is a mobile traffic garden that visits North Thurston Public Schools and some summer camps. The miniature streetscape allows youths to practice pedestrian and bicycle safety away from vehicle traffic. 

The gardens recreate common street features, including intersections, stop signs, crosswalks and roundabouts. The agency also partners with Safe Kids Thurston County to install both temporary and permanent versions of the gardens.

In Lacey, a permanent traffic garden is located on the playground at Mountain View Elementary School, 1900 College St. SE. The site is open to community members outside of school hours. 

Bicycle rodeos give youths another place to sharpen their skills. During the 2025-26 school year, Walk N Roll supported events at four North Thurston elementary schools. 

For older students, the Teens Biking to Destinations program offers lessons in bicycle safety, handling and maintenance. The program is a partnership with Lacey Parks, Culture & Recreation and North Thurston Public Schools. Participants practice their skills through hands-on activities and neighborhood group rides. Teens who complete the program receive a new bicycle, helmet, lock and lights. 

Walk N Roll also teaches students about the importance of public transportation. The program organizes rolling classroom field trips and bus visits with North Thurston students, and it offered transit education at six Lacey sites last school year. 

Safer school travel 

Wilson highlighted Lydia Hawk Elementary School, a partner in monthly walk and roll events. She said students and families there may walk their full journey to school or just a portion of it year-round. 

“Walking to school helps improve safety by reducing traffic congestion and air pollution around our schools, and it helps students show up ready to learn and build physical activity into their day,” Wilson said. 

She also thanked the city for its work to make Lacey more bicycle and pedestrian friendly. Wilson then offered a safety reminder for motorists. 

“To Lacey drivers, we use this opportunity to remind you to slow down and remain vigilant in school zones and residential areas, to stop for pedestrians at crosswalks, and to always be cautious around children since they’re still learning how to be safe pedestrians and bicyclists,” she said.