- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- ActivitiesChildrenLifestyle
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- 3rd Friday of May
- Holiday emoji:
- 🚲
Bike To School Day pedals into action every third Friday in May, encouraging students to embrace active transportation. Join schools and communities nationwide in a celebration of healthier lifestyles and environmental consciousness. Get ready to ride, promote safety, and build community spirit!
Want to sponsor Bike To School Day? Learn how
Expected Bike To School Day Deals
As Bike To School Day approaches, expect a focus on safety gear, bike maintenance, and community events rather than commercial sales. Organizations like Safe Routes to School National Partnership often highlight local initiatives and offer resources for planning events. Bike shops such as Trek Bicycle and Specialized Bicycles may offer discounts on helmets, lights, and tune-ups to ensure kids ride safely. Retailers like Target and Walmart might feature sales on children’s bikes and accessories. Local police departments and community groups often host bike safety checks and educational workshops. We will update this page with confirmed live deals and resources as May 21 approaches.
Platform Guide for Bike To School Day
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BikeToSchoolDay. Share photos and videos of students, parents, and teachers participating in the ride.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BikeToSchoolDay. Share event details, safety tips, and community stories.
X/Twitter
Mention @NatlToday and use #BikeToSchoolDay. Post real-time updates from local events and advocate for safe cycling routes.
Bike To School Day Hero
Jay Walljasper
History of Bike To School Day
Bikes have been around for a long time, since the 1800s, in one version or the other. Early inventions came from France, but the modern bicycle was designed in England.
Throughout the 1800s, bicycle designs were worked on, although they were called ‘velocipedes’ back then. News from Paris influenced the American bicycle craze, which began in 1868 and quickly spread to major East Coast cities. The world’s first cycling newspaper, “The Velocipedist,” was published in New York by the bicycle maker Pickering & Davis. Around the same time, more than 250 different bicycle patents were filed in the U.S. Interest died out by 1971, only to be revived almost five years later. With all the innovations by different manufacturers, bicycle designs had come into their own, and a safety standard was slowly starting to set in. New types of bikes were born for every purpose and customer.
Today, globally, there are twice as many bicycles as automobiles. Bicycles also outsell automobiles three to one. Bike paths have been constructed across many places in the U.S. and the government encourages bikes as an alternative to automobiles.
The very first National Bike to School Day took place in coordination with National Bike Month on May 9, 2012, and 49 states held local events that encouraged children to bike (or walk) to school safely.
Bike To School Day timeline
The word 'bicycle' is coined in France to describe a new kind of two-wheeler with a mechanical drive; before this, our contraption went by various names, including 'velocipedes.'
It has two same-sized wheels for safe riding (at a lower height) and can be stopped when the rider puts their foot down (unlike older models where only dismounting would do the trick).
The Tour de France is established, and it becomes one of the biggest tests of endurance out of all the sports.
Bicycle Motocross (B.M.X.) becomes a sport at the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China.
Bike To School Day FAQs
When is Bike To School Day?
In 2027, Bike To School Day is observed on Friday, May 21, continuing the tradition of promoting active transportation for children. This annual event inspires a love for cycling and outdoor activity.
How many children bike to school?
Efforts to encourage active commutes continue, with Bike To School Day playing a key role in raising awareness. Though precise figures for 2027 are pending, the movement strives to make cycling a more common and safe option for students.
What are the benefits of biking to school?
Beyond the immediate health advantages, cycling to school contributes to a cleaner environment by reducing carbon emissions and fosters a stronger sense of community as students and parents connect on their routes. It’s a holistic approach to student wellness.
Is biking to school safe?
Ensuring safety is paramount for Bike To School Day, with initiatives like Safe Routes to School working to create secure pathways and educate both children and drivers. Parents are encouraged to review bike safety rules and practice routes with their children to build confidence and awareness.
Bike To School Day Activities
Get moving
Get your kids to school on a bike and encourage them to continue with this tradition. Don't have wheels? Borrow some or go ahead and walk. The key is to celebrate movement before, during, and after school.
Invite more participation
It gets a little lonely when you are biking by yourself. So invite your kids' friends and other neighbors to participate too. They can chaperone and set a good example at the same time.
Encourage student participation
Entice more participation by running fun social media contests. For example, students can post pictures of their bike rides to school (or around the neighborhood) for a fun, bike-related prize like a bike bell, cool helmets, water bottles, etc.
5 Important Facts About Bikes
Bikes are cheaper
They cost less, and they are 20 times less expensive to maintain than a car.
The most popular bicycle model
The most popular bicycle model is the Chinese Flying Pigeon; there are almost 500 million produced in the world.
It is a popular sport too
Specifically, road bicycle racing, which is the second most popular sport in the world.
Bikes are energy efficient
The energy and resources used for one car can be used to create almost 100 bicycles.
Reducing accidents
Experts believe if we tripled the number of cyclists, road accidents by motorists and cyclists would halve.
Why We Love Bike To School Day
This day connects communities
People bond over common issues and build their own community.
It's healthy
Not only is movement better for the body, but it can also introduce a strong sense of self-confidence and school spirit.
This day connects us to the world
Children can experience the world, feel the air, and appreciate things they wouldn't usually notice when inside a car.
Social Media Tips for Bike To School Day
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