Bike to School Day is really fun.
Edina, MN (PRWEB) May 08, 2015
Despite rain in the forecast, over 250 students rode their bikes to school on May 6, 2015 as part of National Bike to School Day. The event began early in the morning with children departing from their homes alone, with friends or parents. Some joined adult ride-alongs that left from six different meet-up sites in the school district. Music played from loudspeakers as bicyclists arrived at school and locked up their bikes. They proceeded to welcome tables where they received granola bars, bananas, bike pins, bookmarks printed with bike safety information and a raffle ticket. Students were able to preview the prize table of items that were later raffled off at an assembly. Bike racks quickly filled up and trees and picnic tables were eventually used for other bikes. Students eagerly greeted friends upon arrival and the atmosphere was one of excitement and enthusiasm for cycling and the event.
“There are so many people who biked today,” said a seventh grade student. “Bike-to-School Day is really fun.”
There was pre-event safety training last week and bicycle safety posters were hung around the school. The event finale was an assembly at the end of the school day where bicyclists were addressed by school counselor, Paul Andress, and other educators and a fellow student who bike to school daily. The speeches were followed by an acknowledgement of sponsors and prizes being awarded to lucky raffle ticket holders. Dero was one of the sixteen sponsors. Leg straps, stickers, cases, a backpack, clothing, a helmet, bike lights, bike tune-up coupons and more were part of the $2,000 give-away. Other sponsors included the Bicycle Alliance of Minnesota, CatEye, Charlie’s Tangletown Bike Shop, Hoigaard’s, Mountainsmith, NiceRide, Penn Cycle, People for Bikes, Princeton Tech, QBP, TimBuk2, Tommy T’s Cyclery, Twin Six, the City of Edina and the members of Bike Edina. Every student left with something. The event was organized by the South View Middle School Cycling Club and Bike Edina, a volunteer organization that advances bicycling in Edina.
“We are proud to support local and national bike advocacy organizations and events, like Bike to School Day," said Bri Whitcraft, Director of Marketing for Dero “This event helps increase an appreciation for cycling as a form of recreation as well as transportation, plus it’s really great for the school community.”
Bike to School Day encourages a nationwide bike-focused celebration for students in the month of May. 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 also build connections between families, schools and the broader community.
About National Bike to School Day
National Bike to School Day, coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, provides an opportunity for communities across the country to join together to bicycle to school on the same day. The event builds on the excitement surrounding National Bike Month, led by the League of American Bicyclists each May, as well as the popularity of Walk to School Day, coordinated by the National Center for Safe Routes to School every October. For more information on bike to school activities, visit http://www.walkbiketoschool.org.
About Dero
Since 1995, Dero has been supplying innovative bike parking and bicycle transit solutions to architects, contractors, municipalities, higher education, and parks and rec. Its bike racks, repair stands and pumps, shelters, and lockers are high quality, thoughtfully designed and secure. Dero also offers the award winning Dero ZAP, an automatic system to track bike commuters. Dero is located in Minneapolis and is proud to support biking locally and nationally.