Walk and Roll at Bubb School Bike Rodeo

Giant Traffic Sign Costume Characters will meet and greet Mountain View students as they "Walk and Roll"
to school on Wednesday, October 3rd
to promote International Walk & Bike to School Day

 Mountain View -- Students from Bubb Elementary School, 525 Hans Avenue and Stevenson School, 725 San Pierre Way will walk and bike to school by the hundreds to show their support for decreased traffic around their schools and a healthier way to get to school.  Students will be arriving to school at between 7:30am and 8:00am.

The students will be greeted by parents, community members and giant costume traffic sign characters. Upon arrival at the school, the students will sign banners to document their commitment to walking and bicycling to school.

Bubb Elementary School students will be participating in a pedestrian and bike rodeo starting at 2:40pm. The rodeo features a miniature city where they can walk and ride bikes to practice their safety skills. The miniature city has houses, stores, cars, buses, streets, sidewalk traffic signs and signals to create a realistic traffic environment. Students will be showing their pedal power by making smoothies on a blender bike.

Not long ago, walking or biking to school was the norm. Over the last 30 years, the percentage of children biking and walking to school has declined from 50% or more to closer to about 15%. Today, parents drive as many as 50% of children traveling to school. School bus trips account for an increasing share of the rest.  The purpose of Walk & Bike to School Day is to start to reverse these trends.

International Walk to School Day energizes parents and children reminding them of the simple joy of walking and biking to school. It also serves as an opportunity to focus on the importance of physical activity, safety, air quality and building bicycle and pedestrian friendly neighborhoods. 

However, increasing physical activity among children, teaching safe walking and biking skills, easing traffic and improving the environment around schools cannot be achieved in one day.  Addressing all these issues takes time.  Walk & Bike to School Day is just one part of the City of Mountain View's commitment to pedestrian and bicycle safety.  Through a grant provided by the Valley Transportation Authority, the City of Mountain View is funding the Vehicle Emissions Reduction at School Programs. This program is designed to provide education and encouragement programs to schools to promote walking and bicycling to improve health, safety and the environment.  

To learn more about the October 3 Walk & Bike to School Day activities and the City of Mountain View's Vehicle Emissions Reduction at School Program, contact Pat Hines at (408) 374-8991.