At least two Delta-area schools will be biking to school this week.
Ladner Elementary and Nielson Grove Elementary are part of 60-plus Metro Vancouver schools from K-12 who will walk, bike, or roll to school during HUB Cycling’s Bike to School Week Sept. 28 to Oct. 2.
The annual event aims to recognize the impacts of active travel on students’ mental and physical health, academic performance, and safety in school zones. During this unprecedented school year, schools are keeping school culture alive in a safe, active, and physically-distanced way by participating.
HUB Cycling began organizing Bike to School Week in Metro Vancouver in 2013, and since then there has been a huge growth in the number of schools supporting and encouraging active travel. This year’s event will look a little different with added measures in place due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“We’ve updated our First Time School’s Guide to include more remote activities, such as bike ride bingo and our free Learn2Ride Online course. These are great activities for students, including those who may still be learning from home this fall. In order to facilitate contactless tracking, we’re also offering schools the opportunity to use our Bike to Work Week online tracking tool to track their school’s trips,”says Rianna Fiorante, this year’s Bike to School Week Coordinator.
During Bike to School Week, HUB Cycling and BCAA remind drivers to be on high alert as more students bike, walk or roll to school.
“Particularly this year, Bike to School week is a great time for kids to explore active, healthy ways to get to school,” added BCAA’s Victoria Pau. “Biking, walking, or rolling also takes cars out of busy school zones. If you’re trying out biking, or you’re a driver, we encourage you to do your part to keep school zones safe by checking out BCAA’s back to school safety tips for drivers and kids.”
Parents can find out if their child’s school is registered for Bike to School Week by visiting the event website bikehub.ca/btsw.
