Join the celebration on May 6, 2015
CHAPEL HILL, N.C. (February 11, 2015) — Buckle up your helmets and join thousands of children, parents, school officials and community members nationwide for the fourth annual National Bike to School Day on May 6, 2015. The National Center for Safe Routes to School announces Bike to School Day registration is now open. Last year, more than 2,220 events registered for the third annual National Bike to School Day – a thirty percent increase from the previous year. Excitement continues to grow for this annual event and participation is expected to increase for the 2015 celebration. Schools, parents and community members can now register a Bike to School Day event at www.walkbiketoschool.org.
Bike to School Day is a national event that gives communities across the country the opportunity to join together in bicycling to school 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 kids and families to make their school commute.
Communities participate in Bike to School Day for a variety of reasons that range from serious to fun. Events bring attention to safety needs, promote physical activity, help build a sense of neighborhood and inspire school spirit. Studies have shown that physical activity can positively impact academic achievement, student morning energy levels and attention, truancy, and absenteeism, and can improve schools and their communities through social bonding and community building.
Bike to School Day event registration is free and open to all individuals and/or organizations planning a 2015 Bike to School Day event in the United States. Registering a Bike to School Day event provides organizers access to a variety of downloadable materials, including stickers, certificates, badges, classroom activities and a chance to win bikes, helmets, and other giveaways.
National Bike to School Day joins the excitement surrounding National Bike Month, led by the League of American Bicyclists each May, and builds off the 18 years of success of International Walk to School Day. Walk to School Day was founded in 1997 as a way to bring community leaders and children together to build awareness for communities to be more walkable. The one-day event has now grown to a month-long celebration every October. In 2014, students and parents from more than 4,700 U.S. schools joined millions of Walk to School Day and Month participants worldwide.
For more information on bike and walk to school activities in the United States, visit www.walkbiketoschool.org.
About the National Center for Safe Routes to School
Established in May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School assists states and communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The National Center serves as the information clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Part of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, the National Center also provides technical support and resources and coordinates online registration efforts for Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day in the U.S., and facilitates worldwide promotion and participation. For more information, visit www.saferoutesinfo.org.
About the League of American Bicyclists
The League of American Bicyclists is leading the movement to create a bicycle-friendly America for everyone. As leaders, our commitment is to listen and learn, define standards and share best practices to engage diverse communities and build a powerful, unified voice for change. For more information or to support the League, visit www.bikeleague.org.
Contact:
Colleen V. Oliver
Communications Manager
Safe Routes to School Programs
(919) 962-7769
oliver |
Safe Routes to School 