Schools across Alameda County are getting ready for the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools (ACSR2S) Golden Sneaker Contest. When we talk with champions and youth about their favorite Safe Routes event, the Golden Sneaker Contest often tops the list. From March 3 to 14, classrooms and schools will track how many students walk, roll, bike, carpool, or take transit to school each day. 

The classroom from each participating school with the highest rate of active and shared transportation usage will win the contest and the coveted Golden Sneaker award. This year, over 80 schools will be competing for the Golden Sneaker. When students get excited about active and shared mobility, everyone wins. Here’s what parents, teachers, administrators, and students can do to get ready for the Golden Sneaker competition.

Make a walking or rolling plan

What’s the best route to walk or roll to school? Consider creating a walking school bus or a bike train to ride or walk together to school during the competition. Or go for a practice run on the weekend to discover the safest path from home to school. It could be habit-forming!

Take a test ride on the bus

Taking the bus doesn’t have to be intimidating. There are apps — including Transit — that can help you figure out the best route to school and when the next bus will arrive. Take a test ride to get comfortable with the bus. Consider reading or playing a game, like I Spy, to make the ride go faster.

Have daily or weekly prizes and incentives 

Teachers and champions can run their own mini competitions during Golden Sneaker to get students excited about the competition. Small prizes for the most miles traveled, the biggest CO2 reduction, encouraging others to join in, starting a walking school bus, or other positive steps will help students celebrate the changes they’re making in their commutes.

Beyond the Gold: The Platinum Sneaker Award

Each year, the AC SR2S program tallies the totals sent to them and identifies one school in the county as the Platinum Sneaker winner for being the school with the highest rate of active and shared transportation usage during the Golden Sneaker Contest. Representative(s) from the winning school receive a commemorative sneaker-shaped plaque and are celebrated during the April commission meeting, held April 24 this year. During this meeting, we celebrate the school’s efforts to promote healthy modes of transportation, curb pollution, and foster community on their campus. 

Ready, Set, Roll!

Although only one class can win the Golden Sneaker and one school can win the Platinum Sneaker, everyone who participates wins. You might even get a visit from Goldie, the Golden Sneaker’s mascot.