BikE, walk, and roll to school day
Do you want to bike to school with your kids? AWESOME! Do you want to help plan a ride for this year’s “Bike to School Day?” FANTASTIC! It’s on May 4th, but you can also pick any date that works for you school!
There is a wealth of guidance about how to plan an event on the national Walk, Bike and Roll to School website. Start there! I particularly appreciate their “plan an event in 7 days” guide.
Because I’m such a bike to school enthuiast, I’m also including my own tips below, in case those are helpful. If you have questions or just want to talk through Denver bike routes or what might be best for your child’s school, don’t hesitate to contact me!
Steps to take ASAP:
one. // Check with your child’s school to see if they already have an event planned. You can also check the national Bike, Walk and Roll to School website to see if an event is registered for your child’s school. If so, participate and spread the word! Maybe volunteer to help out. If not, continue to step 2.
two. // Take charge! Plan an event to get more people to ride to school on May 4! That can take a few different forms:
If you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to planning, you can keep it simple - talk to your school’s principal/head about the event and then spread the word to other parents. Maybe include it in the school’s newsletter, announcements, or on their social media. If you’re able, you can also provide support by suggesting routes and giving safety tips.
If you are able to commit a bit more time and effort, you can plan “Park and Bike” event. Pick a meeting spot a short distance from your child’s school (0.5-1 mile away) and have people gather there on the morning of May 4, 30-45 minutes before school starts.
Similarly, if your child attends a neighborhood school and you know others who live near you attend the same school, suggest meeting at a spot in the neighborhood and riding to school from there. If people from the school community who live elsewhere in the city want to join, they can drive to your neighborhood and join the ride.
three. // Spread the word! No matter how you’re involved in planning, it’s always important to spread the word to get more people to ride. First off, register the event. Then think of low-tech and high-tech options: flyers around school, phone calls, emails, social media, school announcement letters, text messages and more.
If you’re just promoting “bike to school” day, then you’re all done! If you’ve planned a group ride, here are a few more Steps to take 1-2 weeks before may 4:
one. // Share a map with those participating. You can also do this the day of, as you feel appropriate for your event.
two. // Ask for help! Get other parents who are enthusiastic about biking to help you. You’ll want volunteers to:
Be the ride leader, if you’re hosting a group ride. You also want someone to bring up the rear of the ride.
Help “staff” the route: Adults wearing fluorescent clothing should position themselves at intersections to help those in the group ride safely cross streets, particularly busy ones.
Provide snacks at the meeting spot or at the school (optional, but always appreciated).
Distribute maps at the meeting spot.
Welcome kids and parents to the school.
How to lead a group ride on “Bike to School Day,” may 4:
one: // Make sure everyone knows the meeting spot, and make yourself available by text message for any questions or issues.
two: // Designate someone to lead the ride. This might be you, or another adult. This person should announce the route, and remind people of safety measures (where to turn, stop, watch for cars, etc.).
three. // If you have people staffing the route, send them out to their stations.
four. // Remind parents to ride with their kids.
five. // Depart with plenty of time to get to school before it starts! You don’t want people to be late!
Have fun!
What more info on biking to school? Check out my blog post “9 Tips for Biking to School.”