Alki Elementary Principal Chanda Oatis led 'Bike Train 1' from Anchor Park on Alki Ave SW as teacher Terry Kegel led 'Bike Train 2' from Me Kwa Mooks Park on Beach Drive. They merged and biked to the school to take part in Bike to School Month.
Since May is Bike to School Month, the teachers at Alki Elementary chose to get involved and organize two "bike trains" of parents and students. More than 100 parents and students showed up for the event.
The first train led by Principal Chanda Oatis and Ms. Hominee, gathered at Anchor Park on Alki Ave. SW and took the pathway toward the school. The second train, led by teacher Terry Kegel and Sr. Grunewald came from Me Kwa Mooks Park on Beach Drive SW.
The event and month are designed to encourage bicycle commuting, mentor new riders and help build a love of bicycling. So this was the attention getter, but students are encouraged to ride their bikes as often as possible.
Principal Oatis said, "This is a really great idea because it's very good for our world. This is a whole month where we're trying to encourage people to bike to school and I live a little bit far so this is a day that I agreed to find a way outside of my car to get to school The kids enjoy it and I enjoy it and it's healthy." She committed to doing more bike rides to school.
Kegel, who lives near the University District rides the 15 miles nearly every day, even in the rain.
The goals of Bike to School Month are to:
- Help your child become a safe, knowledgeable and independent cyclist.
- Create daily exercise habits that help keep your child active and healthy.
- Reduce car traffic and air pollution.
Everyone who rides at least once during the month wins a prize.
All participants who rode on Bike to School Day were given a Cascade Bike to School Month rubber bracelet, but 1-14 trips earn a cool bike key chain and 15+ trips earns a red round reflector light.
Students who registered must keep track of their trips each day they ride and turn in their passport at the end of the month. School officials add the trips to the school total and will deliver the prizes.
For more information on Bike to School Month check out Cascade's website at http://www.cbcef.org/bts/index.html or contact Lindsey Parker at Cascade Bicycle Club or Mr. Kegel at Alki .
New for2013, the Golden Pedal Award will be given to the Elementary school with the most new Bike to School Month riders!
Prizes were awarded following the ride for:
Safest for Train 1- Olivia
Safest for Train 2- Elijah
Most Visible- Mevina
They won a water bottle from Alki Bikes and Board and an $80 gift certificate from Cycle U for a bike tune up.
