Bike To School Day Begins!

Bike To School Day is today, May 6, 2015. Read more about all the great things happening across the country to celebrate from our Bike Month partners and Bike To School Day organizers, National Center for Safe Routes to School. Be sure to tag us @bikeleague in any photos you Tweet today of your ride to school!

Students, parents and many other supporters across the country will be pedaling to school today, May 6^th as they ride their bikes in celebration of the fourth annual National Bike to School Day.

Communities will celebrate the big day with bike rides and bike trains to school to highlight the benefits of active transportation. As of today, over 2,100 schools have registered their Bike to School Day events on www.walkbiketoschool.org. The total number of events is expected to grow as celebrations continue throughout May, National Bike Month.

“Every child should have the opportunity to walk, bike or ride the bus to school safely,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “Improving bicycle and pedestrian safety is a top priority for the Department, especially as more and more Americans are choosing these options for getting to work, school and other places. The Obama Administration is proud to support National Bike to School Day and encourages families to practice safe biking habits every day.”

“We’re excited to see the energy and momentum for Bike to School Day grow year after year,” said Lauren Marchetti, Director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School, which coordinates National Bike to School Day. “It’s inspiring to see the number of communities and families that come together on this day to support active transportation and safe environments for biking and walking to school.”

Bike to School Day events are being held nationwide on Wednesday and throughout the month of May. In 2014, over 2,200 events registered for Bike to School Day, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. To browse names and locations of registered 2015 events, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org/go/whos-biking/2015

For the second year in a row, the National Center will be teaming up with Schwinn’s Helmets on Heads program for the National Bike to School Day Helmets on Heads Bike Share Giveaway. This giveaway will provide ten bikes and 20 helmets to ten schools and community organizations that register their event at walkbiketoschool.org.  Six schools have been selected already. There will be two final drawings on May 6^th and May 31^st.
 
“At Schwinn, we are dedicated to bicycle safety,” said Milissa Rick, Senior Director of Marketing for Schwinn. “Bike to School Day is a great day to celebrate an active trip to school, and it’s the perfect day to highlight the importance of correctly wearing a helmet every time you get on a bike.”

Helmets on Heads is a comprehensive initiative committed to educating one million kids about bike helmet safety over 10 years.  Each year Helmets on Heads engages with educators, local communities, and families by providing information and resources to get involved and take action on helmet safety.
 
Also, new this year, the National Center for Safe Routes to School is partnering withSportworks to give away two bike racks in celebration of Bike to School Day. For more giveaway details, event ideas, and event registration visit www.walkbiketoschool.org.