May is Bike Month!

National Bike to School Day

Adding to the fun and excitement of National Bike Month in May will be the first-ever National Bike to School Day on Wednesday, May 9, 2012! 

National Bike to School Day will be a great way to generate excitement about bicycling and reinforce safe bicycling skills. Events will take place at many elementary and middle schools in Davis on May 9 and throughout the month that encourage and celebrate biking to school.  Bike to School Day and May Is Bike Month events will include bicycle safety education, parent-led bike trains, bike and helmet decorating, make-your own reflectors, and more!

A Biking Counts contest on May 9^th will award prizes to the schools with the highest percentage of riders, and students will have opportunities throughout the month to win fun prizes for wearing their helmets properly, riding to school, registering for Active4.me, using proper hand signals, and practicing safe and friendly riding.

Local elected officials will be biking to Davis schools on May 9^th to greet students, parents, and staff arriving by bike. Contact your neighborhood school for more information about planned activities. This year’s inaugural national event is supported by the National Center for Safe Routes to School, and a partnership between the City of Davis Street Smarts program and Davis Bicycles!

A Safety Message for Parents

During the Month of May, we encourage you to leave your car at home, hop on a bike with your child, and ride with them to school. There are so many benefits for both parents and kids to using this form of active transportation—it allows you to spend quality time together, get some exercise and fresh air, socialize with other riders, “smell the roses,” and set a great example for your children.

As a parent, you are the most important role model for your child, and you can teach them important lifelong habits of safe and friendly riding. Always wear your helmet, practice proper hand signaling, and follow the same rules of the road as you would if you were driving in a car; riding on the right side of the road, stopping at stop signs and stop lights for traffic and pedestrians, using lights if you are riding after dark, and never using electronic devices or headphones while driving. This is almost always more fun than you think, and you may find yourself with a giant smile plastered across your face!

Davis Bicycles! listing of all school-related activities:

http://www.davisbicycles.org/wordpress/may-is-bike-month-school-activities