Rain did not stop over 100 students, parents and even pets from taking part in Bike to School Day in Poolesville. Children gathered with friends under raincoats and umbrellas before hopping on their bikes for the ride to school.
Even Mario and Luigi made an appearance on their tricycles, or rather, the Poolesville Elementary School principal and assistant principal dressed as the famous video game characters to encourage students, many riding bicycles and scooters, to join the group ride.
The event was organized by the Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) as part of its Safe Routes to School program, which provides resources to help students safely bike, walk or scoot to school. The event also highlighted Montgomery County’s Vision Zero initiative, aimed at eliminating traffic deaths and serious injuries on county roads.
Wearing a bright yellow bike helmet, MCDOT Deputy Director of Policy Haley Peckett emphasized the importance of introducing children to biking as transportation, not just recreation.
“So thinking about really simple neighborhood trips and ways that we can get kids from their houses to school, which is right in their community, is a great way to introduce the idea of using bikes for transportation as a safe way to do it,” Peckett said.
Safety was also a major focus of the event.
“For kids, staying on sidewalks, using marked crosswalks, paying attention to your surroundings, and working with your parent to know how to bike safely is a great tip for anybody to bike safely to school,” Peckett said.
Poolesville Elementary School Principal Douglas Robbins said the event encouraged exercise while building community spirit. Despite the rain, students arrived smiling, laughing and chatting with classmates.
“It’s important for kids to realize that exercise is important, and one way to easily exercise is walking and riding bikes to school,” Robbins said.
The event is part of a broader countywide effort to promote alternative transportation to school, including biking, scootering and walking, while educating families about safe routes to school.
A free, student-led “Safety Day” event will also be held from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Saturday, May 9.
