Willows elementary students are encouraged to hop on their bikes and join the bike train to school on Wednesday (May 30).
The Oak Bay police department and Community Association of Oak Bay will lead two bike trains, from Monterey Middle School and from Allenby Park, to Willows elementary in celebration of Bike to School Week.
“The reason we’re doing it is to encourage kids and parents to ride to school and make them realize that it’s not as difficult as it might seem and it’s actually a lot of fun,” Coun. Michelle Kirby said.
Officers, along with volunteers, will show students “the safest, quietest routes” to school. No registration is required, and parents are welcome to ride along.
“There’s a lot of trepidation when you’re talking about kids riding to school,” Kirby said, adding that she hopes the bike train can show parents that riding to school or work can be safe and fun.
Bike trains will leave Monterey Middle School and Allenby Park at 8:10 a.m., arriving at Willows before the 8:42 a.m. bell.
Students may also join the bike train at any point along the bike route.
“We’re hoping this isn’t just a one day event (and) that it keeps going,” Kirby said. “(The hope is) that parents will carry on riding with a group of kids and picking up other kids for parents who can’t do that.”
