Thousands of Minnesota students will take part in International Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 4. The annual event, sponsored by Minnesota Safe Routes to School, encourages students and parents to practice safe biking and walking activities.
Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed May 4 as “Walk and Bike to School Day” in Minnesota.
Walk and Bike to School Days are one-day, special events to help make biking and walking more visible, fun, and rewarding for children. These events can encourage parents and students to make biking and walking to school a habit.
“We know students do better in school when they add physical activities to their day,” said Dave Cowan, MnDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator. “This event promotes safe bicycling and walking skills that students can use throughout their lives.”
These events also give local leaders an opportunity to see the value of walkable and bikeable communities.
Cowan says more than 117 Minnesota schools have registered for Bike to School Day events so far. Schools can still register events. Additional materials are available online to support year-round walking and biking activities.
Students can also participate in Minnesota’s Bike to School Day poster contest. They can create and submit posters (on the MnSRTS Facebook page using the hashtag #mnbikes) showing how they feel when they ride a bicycle. The top three posters will win prizes.
Minnesota Safe Routes to School combines the expertise of multiple state agencies with national and local partners to provide the resources needed to support walking and biking to school. More information is available at mndot.gov/saferoutes.
