Elementary and middle schools across Connecticut will join schools from around the country to celebrate the third annual National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 7, 2014.

Bike to School 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 iscelebrated across the country – and the world – each October.

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.

The Governor’s official proclamation states, “Children, parents, and community leaders around Connecticut should join together to evaluate walking and bicycling conditions in their communities,”

Join participating schools in Connecticut that are holding special events to encourage students to ride their bikes or walk to school with parents, teachers and community leaders. Hundreds of students will be participating in events bicycling or walking to school along with parents and teachers. Special activities associated with the Bike to School Day are being organized by the schools and the CT Safe Routes to School Program (CT SRTS). The CT SRTS is working with schools across the state, offering free assistance to schools seeking to develop or expand walking and biking opportunities for students in their communities.

These events usually begin with participants riding from home or other designated drop off sites. Visit www.walkbiketoschool.org for more information about Bike to School Day event planning resources and tools, including a GIS-powered walking and bicycling route mapping tool!

Connecticut Safe Routes to School Program would like to congratulate the Charles Wright Elementary School in Wethersfield, as the first school selected nationally to win 10 Schwinn bikes and 20 helmets from the National Center for Safe Routes to School’s Bike to School Day Helmets on Heads Bike Share Giveaway! Charles Wright School won these bikes as a result of registering online for Bike to School Day at www.walkbiketoschool.org.  So, there is still time to register your Bike to School Day event, as giveaways will continue until end of May!

The National Center for Safe Routes to School has partnered with Schwinn's Helmets on Heads program this year for Bike to School Day for the giveaway.  Helmets on Heads is a comprehensive initiative committed to educating one million kids about bike helmet safety over 10 years.  Each year Helmets on Heads engages with educators, local communities, and families by providing information and resources to get involved and take action on helmet safety. Helmets on heads is driven by a desire to have every rider wearing a helmet. Learn more at www.helmetsonheads.org.

For additional local information about Bike to School Day, please contact Sharon Okoye, CT SRTS Coordinator at 860-594-2367.

For additional information, please visit these websites:

Connecticut Safe Routes to School              www.walkitbikeitct.org

Walk to School Day in the USA                    www.walkbiketoschool.org

National Center for Safe Routes to School     www.saferoutesinfo.org