The second annual National Bike to School Day takes place on May 8. In 2012, the inaugural year for
National Bike to School Day, nearly 950 schools participated in 49 states. This year, more than 450 events have been registered in 47 states. Following the same framework as National Walk to School Day, which started in 1997, National Bike to School Day encourages kids to safely and actively commute to school. Both of these events aim to promote safer routes to school, cleaner air and active transportation.
There are many different ways to get involved in this day. Event registration is open and free to any individuals or organizations that wish to participate. For those who wish to participate but live too far away from their school, there are alternative options. Event organizers can designate one or more remote starting points for participants to meet at and bike to school together, or participants can bike at school.
Want to find out whether an organization in your community has already registered an event? An interactive map on the National Bike to School Day event website displays organizations that have registered events in each state.
While National Bike to School Day has provided the first opportunity for schools across the country to unite in one special day to celebrate active transportation, the overall goal should be that students continue to partake in the healthy habits this day promotes. Walking school buses or bike trains are safe, active options for students to commute to school with adult supervision. These active transportation options can be implemented for Bike to School Day or on a regular basis.
Thinking about organizing your own Bike to School Day event? Visit the National Bike to School Day event website for information, which has a list of resources in your community if you need more help getting started.
Logo By National Center for Safe Routes to School
Photo By Fotolia/dasharosato
