MOSES LAKE - Knolls Vista Elementary celebrated International Walk to School Day on Wednesday by creating a "walking school bus."

Students made tracks from the corner of Grape Drive and Valley Drive to the school. Knolls Vista School Resource Officer Kyle McCain acted as escort for the event following the walking school bus with his police car lights flashing for safety.

International Walk to School Day is celebrated globally as a first step to changing community culture and creating environments that are inviting for everyone. The event is intended to create safer routes, enhance the health of students, improve the environment and engage kids in physical activities.

Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States joined together and created International Walk to School Day in 2000. It's estimated that more than 2.5 million walkers participated that first year. Now, four million people from 42 countries, including countries in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, and North and South America, join in to celebrate this day.

Walking or bicycling to school gives children time for physical activity and a sense of responsibility and independence.

It allows them to enjoy being outside and provides them with time to socialize with their friends and get to know their neighborhoods.

Other reasons to walk or bike are physical activity, safety, community awareness, environmental concern, to reduce traffic congestion and pollution and to raise awareness of posted lower speed limits near schools.

"It was a fun walk because it is healthy for us," said third-grade student Laurissa Martinez.

"It was a great opportunity to walk with friends," added Krista Snyder.

"It is great to see kids practicing safe walking habits and proper ways to get to and from school," McCain said.

Participation in Walk-to-School Day has been an annual event at Knolls Vista for the past four years and serves as a great warm up for the Parent Teacher Association Jog-a-Thon, which will be held Oct. 14 at the school.