Many Arlington Public Schools students will hit the sidewalk instead of the school bus Wednesday as schools celebrate International Walk to School Day.

While several Arlington schools will participate, Oakridge Elementary School is hosting school and county board members, school administrators, members of the USA Cycling Team and marathoner Mike Wardian, according to a news release from the school system.

The event sponsored by the Partnership for a Walkable America, which began in Chicago in 1997. What started as a one-time event to promote walkable communities became international in 2000, when the partnership in the United States teamed up with schools in Canada and the United Kingdom.

The goal: raising awareness about safer routes for walking and bicycling to school, traffic congestion, pedestrian safety and increased activity for kids, the organization says.

Arlington Public Schools organizes the local events in partnership with www.walkarlington.com and www.bikearlington.com.

The school system implemented a new transportation policy this year that requires more students to walk or bike or be driven to school.