Red Bank Schools Earn Gold Award For Promoting Student Safety

RED BANK, NJ — Two local schools have been honored with the Gold Award by EZ Ride for their work promoting safe walking and biking for students during the 2025–26 school year.

On Sept. 24, the awards were presented to Red Bank Primary School and Red Bank Middle School at EZ Ride's Annual Recognition Event at Galloping Hill Golf Course.

The Borough of Red Bank was also recognized with a Gold Award, celebrating the community's ongoing leadership in the initiative.

These back-to-back awards recognize the schools' implementation of the Safe Routes to School (SRTS) program, a statewide initiative that aligns with national efforts to improve pedestrian and cyclist safety for school children.

The achievement also exemplifies the school district's continued commitment to its motto, "Dream BIG...We'll Help You Get There!" officials said.

"Earning this Gold Award again is a testament to our district's core values," said Superintendent of Schools, Dr. Jared Rumage. "Safety is our first priority, and the Safe Routes to School program has been instrumental in ensuring our students' journeys to and from school are secure"

"This initiative directly supports our commitment to daily learning, as a safe journey ensures students arrive ready to learn," he continued. "The activities we implemented to achieve this distinction again align directly with our Strategic Plan, Dream Bigger: A 5-Year Roadmap, and our unwavering commitment to our students' well-being and academic success."

SRTS activities in Red Bank range from safety presentations and community audits to bike skill classes, poster contests, and walk/bike-to-school days.

Making these activities a regular part of the school year aims to help maintain a strong, sustained culture of safety throughout the district, officials said.

“Entering our fourth year of partnership with EZ Ride, we continue to see the tangible benefits of ongoing bike and pedestrian safety education,” said Christina Vlahos, Principal of Red Bank Primary School (RBPS).

“Not only are more students biking, scooting, and walking to school, but they're doing so with a real understanding of safe habits,” Vlahos continued. “Each year builds on what they’ve learned previously, ensuring those safety practices become second nature.”

"It is a huge point of pride to watch our students champion their own safety and health by biking and walking to school every day," Vice Principal Michael Dougherty added. "EZ Ride is an incredible partner in our mission, and together we are building a safer, more active future for Red Bank Middle School."

In addition to the SRTS efforts, the district's recent renovations to the exterior grounds of both schools continue to enhance campus safety.

The redesigned arrival and dismissal procedures, along with upgraded traffic flows, work in tandem with the Safe Routes to School program to create a comprehensive and secure environment for all students, officials said.

Additionally, extra bike racks have been added to both schools as more students are choosing to ride their bikes to school. Students will have access to different assemblies throughout the year that discuss pedestrian and train safety.

EZ Ride is a nonprofit organization dedicated to overcoming transportation barriers. For over 40 years, it has partnered with businesses and governments to implement programs like carpools, vanpools, shuttles, and biking and walking programs.

Repeat top-tier SRTS awardees like Red Bank Primary and Middle Schools gain valuable benefits, including working towards achieving Sustainable Jersey certification, qualifying for mini-grants, and strengthening their position for future infrastructure grants through the NJ Department of Transportation.