Freiker/Boltage reduces Car Trips in Los Altos

Los Altos School District is the proud participant in a nationwide program to reduce car trips to school. A generation ago, more than 50% of kids within 2 miles rode or walked to school. Today that number is less than 20%; traveling in a private vehicle is the primary means to get to school. Freiker/Boltage (www.boltage.org and www.freiker.org) aims to change that — this innovative program inspires students to make a positive impact on their lives, their community and their planet. Our goal: to make riding a walking to school a daily habit, not a special event.

How does it work?

Each participating student is issued an RFID tag; for each day they ride or walk, the student passes under the RFID meter (called a ZAP– a solar-powered, WIFI-enabled computer on a stick). As they pass by, the meter counts them and the student earns a point. Points add up to prizes — like ice cream cones and pizza! The data is instantly uploaded to the freiker website (www.freiker.org) where you can see how many trips the school has logged. Just this week alone LASD schools have logged more than 1500 trips — saving over 6,000 vehicle miles! Just by walking or riding to school.

Students at Santa Rita, Almond, Springer and Egan Junior High are tackling some very grown-up issues — obesity, climate change, pollution, and traffic — all by choosing to ride or walk to school. We applaud their efforts and their daily successes! Every trip counts!

This post was submitted by suzanne ambiel.