Spring is the time to pump up the tires, check helmets, and get ready to pedal!
On Wednesday, May 7, thousands of kids, teachers, and parents will use bikes (and scooters, wheelchairs, skateboards, etc.) to get to school on wheels to celebrate National Bike and Roll to School Day.
The event is part of a national and month-long celebration that encourages students in grades K – 12 to begin their school day with an active commute.
According to the Safe Routes to School National Partnership, physical activity is especially important for children and adolescents because it boosts learning and memory, reduces the risk of obesity, and can establish lifelong healthy habits.
Cascade Bicycle
Cascade Bicycle Club promotes the Bike/Walk/Roll Month event locally, offering tips and incentives. Cascade includes rolling (scooter, wheelchair, skateboard, etc.) and walking as options for active transportation. Schools, individuals, and youth in grades K-12 are invited to participate.
Students participating record their minutes riding, rolling, and walking to school for the month of May and enter their names in a raffle for a prize. Your school, as a whole, can participate, too! Log the number of kids, minutes, or percentage of children participating, and be in the running to be recognized on the Cascade website.
Last year, the Cascade Bicycle Club recognized schools for their tremendous efforts in getting kids out and about in a healthy and active fashion.
Congratulations to the winners in the 2024 Bike to School month:
- Kai Brackett – Alki
- Soren Sinsley – Lafayette
- Riley Nelson – Ordway Elementary
Congratulations to the following schools and thank you to all schools that participated:
- TOPS K8 – Participation Award for a new school and/or school that hasn’t participated recently.
- St. John (Seattle) – Largest percentage of students who rode to school on Bike to School Day.
- Hazelwood (Edmonds) – Most students who rode on Bike to School Day.
- Bailey Gatzert – Most minutes ridden during Bike to School Month.
Keep in Mind Safety
In general, young children are not prepared to ride on the street alone.
The following are resources from Cascade Bicycle for helping all commuters on wheels to be safe getting to school:
- Seattle – Walk/Bike/Roll to School: Why Walk, Bike and Roll (wheelchair, scooter, skate, etc.) – Resources and Support – Getting the Word Out to Your School – Taking the bus or light rail to school – About Walking, Rolling and Biking to School
- Seattle Walking and Biking Maps for individual schools
- For Kids: Seattle Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Activity Book
- For Teens/Adults: Seattle Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Activity Book
- Example – South Seattle Bike Bus: Photo 1 | Photo 2
Cascade Bicycle Club encourages people driving to take extra care on Bike to School Day. Help keep kids safe by driving the speed limit, silencing distracting devices, and giving kids extra room on the road. Most elementary school children will need to ride with their parents or another adult. Reach out to your Bike to School coordinator to discuss route planning, riding the light rail, and other ideas for safe commuting.
Read More:
Biking the STP with Kids: A Family of Five Takes the Challenge
Beyond the Burke-Gilman: 6 Family-Friendly Bike Trails near Seattle
