Minnesota schools to celebrate National Bike to School Day May 9

ST. PAUL, Minn. – Schools in Minnesota will join schools from around the country to celebrate National Bike to School Day on May 9.

More than 150 schools have registered statewide for students to ride or walk to school along with parents, teachers and community leaders. Bike to School Day is part of the Minnesota Department of Transportation’s Safe Routes to School program, which focuses on getting more students walking and bicycling to school. The day encourages a nationwide bike-focused celebration for students in the month of May and builds on the popularity and success of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country and the world each October.

“Programs such as Safe Routes to School protect our kids, while building safer, healthier communities that benefit Minnesotans statewide,” said Commissioner Charlie Zelle.

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. The events build connections between families, schools and the broader community.

“Bike to School Day is the perfect opportunity to remind students, parents and teachers that riding a bike can be transformative for their physical, mental and emotional health,” said Dave Cowan, Safe Routes to School coordinator. “Students walking and bicycling to school used to be a common habit. This event each year encourages everyone to return to this healthy lifestyle.”

Minnesota Safe Routes to School supports participating schools with event toolkits and marketing materials. In addition, MnSRTS partnered for the third year with Quality Bicycle Products and Dero Bike Racks to host an annual poster contest, challenging students across the state to draw a poster that shows how they feel when riding a bicycling. Winners of the poster contest will be announced May 9.

For more information, go to http://www.mnsaferoutestoschool.org.

http://www.mndot.gov