Parents and Teachers nationwide are getting ready for Bike to School Day! This event is open for registration to all organizations adults, and children. Bike to School Day is a national event that first began in 2009 in partnership with National Bike Month (also in May) hosted by the League of American Bicyclists. It gives communities across the country the opportunity to be a part of a consorted effort to unite youth in bicycling to school all on the same day. The national event is part of the movement for year-round safe routes to school and encourages bicycling to school as a healthy way for families and kids to make their school commute.
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As always, whether you are driving or biking to your destination, we want everyone to be safe. So, before you get ready to take on the sidewalks and bike lanes with your two (or three) wheeled cycling device, here are a few tips to stay safe:
- Safety gear: Helmets are the most important safety accessory to sport but wearing safety gloves elbows and knee pads will keep you from getting scrapes should you happen to take s spill.
- Go with the Flow: If you are traveling in a bike lane on the road, make sure to ride on the right side going in the same direction as vehicles.
- Obey the Law: Although pedestrians and bicyclists have the right of way in many instances, make sure you obey the traffic laws that apply to all moving vehicles including red and green lights in your path.
- Avoid Distractions: It’s never too early to develop the good habit of not operating other devices while operating a moving vehicle. So, put away the phone and other digital devices and focus on the road, or sidewalk. Even listening to music through headphones can impair your cognitive abilities to navigate properly.
For more detailed tips on biking safely, click here.
Benefits of Biking or Walking for Students
Last year, students and parents from more than 4,700 schools joined millions of Walk/Bike to School Day and Month participants. We hope this year will be an even better year for the event. There are so many benefits to making a habit out of biking or walking to school like a positive impact on:
- Academic achievement
- Student energy levels in the morning
- Truancy and absenteeism
- Class-room attention
An increase in physical activity can also improve schools and their communities through social bonding and community building. Even if you didn’t get a chance to participate this year, you can make plans to participate next year. Bike to school Day in 2016 is scheduled for May 4th and on May 10th in 2017. Remember, you can still observe National Bike Month throughout May and find different opportunities to leave the car at home and put the bike to work.
Is your school or organization participating in Walk/Bike to School Day this year? If so, share your story with us in the comments below. For more information on bike and walk to school activities in the United States, visit walkbiketoschool.org.
