Bicycles of every color, and too many to contain, spilled out of bike racks at Olympia area schools today.  Parking lots were less full and the auto drop-off routine at schools was much calmer today with less vehicular traffic.

An estimated 900 students from Olympia area schools rode their bikes to school today, a 300-percent increase over last year’s effort.  Some schools estimated as much as 50 percent of the entire student population used two wheels to get to class.  Many more students walked.  A few other schools will host their Bike to School Day activity later this month.

Bike to School Day is an annual event held across the United States and Canada that coincides with National Bike to Work Day, which together encourage entire families to leave their cars at home and commute on two wheels – or two feet – instead.

“The kids have grabbed on to how much fun it is to bike to school together as a group,” says Stacey Brewster, a parent and volunteer at Pioneer Elementary School in Olympia. “Families are finding that biking is easier than they might have thought, and so much fun.” 

Brewster reports that she counted 87 children’s bikes parked in the school’s bike rack one day early this week.  By Thursday, that number jumped to 135 bikes and today, the bike count was 200.  

For the past five years, students, school administrators, and parents from Olympia elementary, middle and high schools have engaged in this event by pedaling and stepping to school. 

“Walking and riding to school helps establish a healthy habit of daily exercise and encourages an active lifestyle. It also supports community building and neighborhood identity as kids get to know their neighbors and parents develop a shared sense of responsibility for everyone's safety,” says Brewster.

The Bike to School Day event, coordinated by Intercity Transit, is part of the public transportation agency’s youth program that encourages alternative travel modes and addresses transportation issues.

For information about Bike to School Day, Intercity Transit services, or the Bicycle Commuter Contest, visit www.intercitytransit.com or www.bccblog.com.