National Bike to School Day highlights Safe Routes to School program

On May 6, thousands of students, parents, teachers, and communities across the nation will participate in National Bike to School Day (BTSD), and Virginia is shooting to break its 2014 record of 121 registered schools with a goal of 150 events.

Participating Shenandoah Valley schools include:

• Smithland Elementary School, Harrisonburg Bike at School
• Spotswood Elementary School, Harrisonburg Spotswood Bike to School Day
• Stone Spring Elementary School, Harrisonburg Bike to School Day
• Thomas Harrison Middle School, Harrisonburg May 6th Bike to School Day
• Waterman Elementary School, Harrisonburg Waterman Bikes to School

BTSD showcases the importance of bicycling as a fun, healthy, and safe way to get to school and around town. Virginia’s Safe Routes to Schools program has been encouraging state-wide participation in National Bike to School Day. Hosting an event is a great way for schools and communities to teach safe bicycling skills and encourage biking.

Safe Routes to Schools is a federally-funded program administered by Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) designed to encourage kindergarten through 8th grade students to walk or bike to school by creating a safer and more appealing transportation alternative through biking and walking. Other SRTS program goals are to improve safety and reduce traffic, fuel consumption, and air pollution in the vicinity of schools. For more information on SRTS grants and programs visit the VDOT SRTS website.