Our society is facing some big challenges in the areas of childhood obesity and the environment.

Boltage is a tool that empowers communities to take some steps toward solving these problems.

Of course, walking and biking to school will not solve the worlds problems. But it is a start. The Boltage program can serve as a tool to bring communities together and take a step toward a more sustainable lifestyle. And we can do it in a way that teaches our kids that walking and biking, rather than riding in a car, are healthy habits - for themselves, for their country, and for their planet.

It's all about lifestyle.

In the past 30 or so years, we have drifted into a "culture of the car." Active transportation to school has fallen off dramatically. While there are a number of reasons, such as greater distances due to the built environment, THE SINGLE BIGGEST REASON IS CULTURAL - it's just not "what we do."

But the good news is that we can change our lifestyle. By understanding the forces that drive habits, and applying them in a positive way, we can make it cool to walk and ride - and start to move our culture toward a sustainable future.