DURHAM

Walking, biking, and rolling to school is sustainable, healthy, and fun. It also has the potential to strengthen social connections between families, schools, and the broader community. Education programs and encouragement activities can help families choose active travel to school where possible and foster a healthy lifestyle and self-determination for all students, regardless of whether they can currently walk or bike to school. 

This October half of all DPS schools will participate in international Walk & Roll to School Day events, while overall, over 20 schools have participated! DPS schools celebrate either by walking and rolling to campus from a nearby location or by hosting an event right on campus. The official Walk & Roll to School Day this year is October 8th, but schools participate throughout October.

These events celebrate physical activity, promote sustainable travel, and strengthen social connections. If you'd like for your school to participate or you have question, contact Donna Lopp, Safe Routes to School Educator, at Email Donna Lopp.

Schools Participating this October Listed Below (check back for updates!)

• Burton Elementary (TBD)

• Club Boulevard Elementary (Oct 23)

• E.K. Powe Elementary (Oct 10)

• Eastway Elementary (Oct 31)

• George Watts Elementary (TBD)

• Holt Elementary (Oct 29)

• Hope Valley Elementary (Oct 28)

• Lakewood Elementary (Oct 8)

• Mangum Elementary (TBD)

• Morehead Elementary (TBD)

• Oak Grove Elementary (Oct 15)

• Parkwood Elementary (TBD)

• Pearsontown Elementary (TBD)

• Southwest Elementary (Oct 10)

• Spring Valley Elementary (Oct 8)

• Y.E. Smith Elementary (Oct 31)

Inspiration from Past Walk, Bike & Roll Events

Activate your Event - printable interactive activities to add to your event

Banners and Yard Signs

Printable activities for your classroom or home

There is often more than one way to get to and from school. Explore your options:

Walking and Biking

City Bus

GoDurham is fare free and serves all DPS High Schools and most Middle Schools. Check out our one-page guides for each school to learn about how often the city bus comes, which neighborhoods it serves, and tips for arriving on time.

Microtransit

GoDurham Connect provides door-to-door service using smaller vehicles than regular city buses within two designated zones: East Durham and North Durham.

How are other DPS students getting to school?

This report summarizes the results of a 'point in time count' conducted in March 2025 of how students across DPS are getting to and from school. Going forward, the count will be conducted twice a year, each March and November to track changes over time.

Walking School Buses and Bike Buses

Organizing these groups can be as informal as two families taking turns walking their students to school or as structured as a route with meeting points, a timetable, and a regularly rotated schedule of trained volunteers. 

DPS works with community partner, Bike Durham, to deliver a series of classes for elementary students to learn and practice safe biking and pedestrian skills. These programs help build confidence, promotes critical thinking and responsibility, and encourages students and families to consider active transportation from a young age. Over fifteen DPS Elementary Schools have received these programs at least once.

The pedestrian safety program is designed to be turn-key for educators or community partners who want to offer the two-class sequence on their own schedule. The DPS Safe Routes to School team and Bike Durham Educators are also available to teach the classes.

The DPS Safe Routes to School team is working with the City of Durham, Durham County, and NCDOT on an ongoing basis to improve pedestrian infrastructure surrounding all DPS schools.

If you have questions or comments about infrastructure around your school, contact Michelle Pendergrass, DPS Safe Routes to School Planner at Email Michelle Pendergrass

Our program is growing, and we’re looking for ways to engage students across the district in topics surrounding active transportation (walking and biking). This could take the form of a 30-minute presentation in your class, a semester-long research project, partnership with an after-school club, or anything we might be able to dream up together.

If you have an idea for a program or want to chat, contact Donna Lopp, Safe Routes to School Educator, at Email Donna Lopp.