The economic crisis has forced municipalities across the region to make painful service cuts, but when it comes to school bus reductions, there might be a silver lining. New Jersey schools are not required to provide buses  for elementary and middle school students who live within two miles of school, or high schoolers within two-and-a-half miles, but most provided “courtesy busing” for these students anyway. After the recent round of crippling school budget cuts many districts eliminated this service, stoking parent anger. But this break in free school transportation could help communities across the state encourage healthy habits and healthy streets.

It’s no secret that childhood obesity is one of the most serious problems facing America today –  31% of NJ children under 17 are obese. The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services recommends at least 60 minutes of physical activity for children everyday — yet sadly, many children don’t even come close. A 2-mile walk or bike ride is absolutely manageable for most healthy kids and is a way to incorporate exercise into their daily routines. Recent studies show that students who walk to school have lower levels of stress and lower rates of obesity.

Parents in many school districts have organized volunteer “walking school buses” that provide adult supervision and safety in numbers for younger children.  Municipalities, meanwhile, have a responsibility to take a good look at their roads and make needed improvements so that walking and biking to school is easy and safe.

If they do, they’ll see the benefits. Walkable, bike-friendly towns encourage interaction between residents, instilling a greater sense of community. Non-motorized traffic is also a great economic generator. An August 2008 Transportation Alternatives multi-city study found that traffic calming and reduced automobile traffic on streets increased property values between 10 and 30%. That and other studies found similar improvements in commercial tenant vacancy rates and retail sales.

Parents’ concerns about losing bus service are justified. But if schools, parents, and local governments work together, they could use this moment to teach kids self-reliance, bring back a sense of community, and encourage a return to healthy lifestyles.