Wednesday was National Bike to School Day, and tens of thousands of American children (hopefully more) are learning how rewarding and fun it can be to get to school on two wheels.
Walking and biking to school accounted for 50 percent of all school trips in 1969, compared to 13 percent today. Now it's not even permitted in some places -- parents in Collingswood, New Jersey, for instance, are fighting school administrators who banned elementary school students from biking to school.
The fact that we need a special event to encourage something that used to be so common speaks to how much work is left to be done to improve conditions for cycling. For sheer inspiration, it's tough to beat Bike to School Day and the sight of kids biking the streets.
Below are some photos we culled from the #BikeToSchoolDay hashtag, showing young people on two wheels heading to school in neighborhoods around the country.
Hoboken, New Jersey:
Happy #BikeToSchoolDaypic.twitter.com/3Dle7YoczT — Juan Melli (@juanmelli) May 4, 2016
Many schools organized "bike trains" with parent or police supervision. Here's an example from Corte Madera, California:
Awesome turnout for the bike train this morning! Joined by @PrincipalMW #BikeToSchoolDay pic.twitter.com/Rv3AP3tcTF — Cove School (@Cove_School) May 4, 2016
Washington, D.C.:
It's all smiles at #BikeToSchoolDay at Lincoln Park in DC. We're here fitting helmets so every child can ride safely pic.twitter.com/xul3YhM8bq — Safe Kids Worldwide (@safekids) May 4, 2016
Savannah, Georgia:
Thanks to Charles Ellis students, teachers and parents who biked to school with us this morning. #BikeToSchoolDay pic.twitter.com/gfsgVQ7qmY — Sav Bicycle Campaign (@SavBikeCampaign) May 4, 2016
It's great to see a kid taking advantage of bike infrastructure in Sacramento, California:
#BikeToSchoolDay #ILoveSacramento pic.twitter.com/ejJZhchR5N — Michelle Kiefer (@MombieMichelle) May 4, 2016
According to Safe Routes to School, more than 2,100 schools in 47 states have registered Bike to School Day events. As you can see below, a little encouragement can go a long way.
Full bike racks at WLHS on #BikeToSchoolDay! @WLHSPrincipal@APSVirginia@ArlingtonVA@APSsaferoutes@ARLnowDOTcompic.twitter.com/M0oTqzodyo — BikeArlington (@BikeArlington) May 4, 2016
Kudos to everyone who helped promote this event at schools today. If you have pictures of your local event we overlooked, please share them in the comments.
