Westfield Washington Schools’ students took to the streets and sidewalks as they pedaled their way to class to celebrate National Bike to School Day on May 8.
Bike to School Day provides an opportunity for schools across the nation to join together to celebrate active transportation and the benefits to children’s health, academic achievement and the environment.
In Westfield, the city partnered with the school district as students from Oak Trace Elementary and Washington Woods Elementary schools rode or walked to school along with their parents, teachers and community leaders.
“National Bike to School Day is a great opportunity for families to leave the car or bus stop behind and take advantage of Westfield’s growing number of biking trails,” Westfield Mayor Andy Cook said.
The event began at 8 a.m. with Washington Woods’ participants taking off from a group location at Ameriana Bank, at the corner of Carey Road and Ind. 32. Police escorted the participants across Ind. 32 as they made their way north on a closed section of Grassy Branch Road.
“The participation for this event has exceeded our expectations,” Washington Woods Principal Scott Williams said. “Our students and their families are thrilled to be involved in this great event.”
Students from Oak Trace Elementary met at the clubhouse in the Countryside subdivision and followed the neighborhood trail system to the school.
“Riding or walking to school promotes a healthy lifestyle to our students,” Oak Trace Principal Robin Lynch said. “We are lucky to have an exceptional trail system surrounding our school that encourages families to bike or walk to school more regularly.”
Bike to School Day events raise awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling and walking and emphasize the importance of issues such as increasing physical activity among children, pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment.
In November 2012, the City of Westfield was awarded a $75,000 Safe Routes to School Program grant. This grant allows the city to focus on providing a safe route for children to walk to school and help to connect the trail system from schools to their surrounding neighborhoods.