Be a Bike to School Day Pioneer

For more than a decade, millions of students have participated in Walk to School Day each October. Now, in partnership with the League, the National Center for Safe Routes to School has taken the successful concept to two wheels, launching National Bike to School Day.

The first-ever event will be held May 9, 2012 and registration is now open. Just like Walk to School Day, Bike to School Day will unite and energize schools, communities and families across the country and capitalize on the momentum of National Bike Month.

• Be a pioneer. Free event registration is available at www.walkbiketoschool.org for individuals and/or organizations planning a 2012 Bike to School Day event in the United States. Registering an event provides organizers access to a variety of brand new downloadable materials, including stickers, certificates, badges and classroom activities.

• Be a resource. Do you have free expertise, time, materials, information, funding or other resources to share? Register as a Resource and help others find you!

• Be a winner. Registered schools and communities will be entered into the Bike to School Day Bike Rack Giveaway. Each Wednesday beginning April 18, two registrants will be selected to win a Saris bike rack for the school of their choice. A total of 10 bike racks will be given away. The sooner an event coordinator registers, the more chances he or she has to win a bike rack for the school or community.

The National Center is also pleased to launch its newly redesigned website – www.walkbiketoschool.org  – to support the celebration of Bike to School Day in May, Walk to School Day in October and walking and biking to school every day.

Check out the updated website for new event planning resources, like Map-a-Route, a GIS-powered tool that allows users to create and share bicycling or walking routes with easy-to-use maps. And stay tuned to www.walkbiketoschool.org/go/whos-biking/2012 to see “Who’s Biking” in 2012!