Motoring The Environment from Femalefirst - Helping to reduce both pollution and congestion during the school run and encourage exercise amongst youngsters, Kia dealers across the country are joining up with local schools to sponsor ‘Walking Bus’ schemes. Walkingshaw Kia, Cumbria, and Hendy Kia, Portsmouth, are the latest dealers to jump aboard.

A ‘Walking Bus’ lets a group, or ‘bus’, of children walk to and from school everyday quickly and safely under the guidance of trained adult supervisors.

The ‘Walking Bus’ encourages children to get more exercise and helps to reduce the amount of traffic on the roads in the mornings.

October 2007 is International Walk To School Month when thousands of children across 40 countries will walk to school, doing their bit to cut CO2 emissions and make the roads a safer place.

The fleet of over 250 Kia-branded ‘Walking Buses’ are already saving 100,000 commuter miles every week.

Up to 20 % of traffic in the mornings is as a result of the "school run", and with vehicles producing the most CO2 on short journeys when in traffic, the ever increasing number of ‘Walking Buses’ will have a significant impact.

This is a great idea and we had a scheme going for quite some time. The sad reality was, it had to close, as I and another mother become the only volunteers to walk the children.

So come on parents do your bit. Walking the children to school is a great way to start the day not just for you but especially the children.

FemaleFirst Jackie Violet