By Anna Skinner
Early morning May 6, students from all grades at Washington Woods Elementary met at Westfield Lighting with their parents, city officials, teachers and police officers to participate in Bike to School Day.
Police blocked off a portion of Grassy Branch Road so the students could have a safe trip to school. Some parents joined the bike ride, and Dr. Scott Williams, Washington Woods Elementary principal, also participated.
Three other elementary schools participated as well – Oak Trace, Monon Trails and Shamrock Springs.
“It’s National Bike to School Day,” Parks and Rec Director Melody Jones said. “There’s five dozen schools across Indiana participating, but Westfield has one of the highest percentages. The main reason is to encourage families to use both walking and biking to school.”
The idea of the event is to not just be one day out of the year, but to be a consistent activity amongst families.
“It promotes exercise and healthy lifestyle,” June Analco, a parent who was participating in the bike ride, said. “It gives kids an opportunity to be with friends and have parents join. It supports the community because people see the kids with the parents and the police officers helping.”
The students met a little before 8 a.m. and rode together. To participate in the event, they brought home a form to have their parents sign and fill out. Students could opt to not participate as well.
