HARRISONBURG, VA (Rocktown Now) – The City of Harrisonburg is building connections between families, schools and the broader community through an upcoming event that empowers kids and their families to utilize active and fun ways to get to school.

Participants in Harrisonburg will join schools around the country on May 7 in celebrating National Bike & Roll to School Day. The event raises awareness of the need to create safer routes for bicycling, walking or rolling to school campuses – emphasizing the importance of issues including increasing physical activity and pedestrian safety, reducing traffic congestion and concern for the environment.

Harrisonburg’s Bike & Roll to School Day event is an active way for students to get to school safely while building a healthier community. As part of Harrisonburg’s Safe Routes to School Program, the event encourages families and students to bike, walk or roll together, meet up with friends along the way, and experience the joy of alternative ways to travel to school as a community.

While the official name of the national day is “Bike & Roll,” there are other ways schools are participating, highlighting the joys of active movement and safety of kids. Harrisonburg’s Safe Routes to School Program will provide opportunities for all schools to participate in this event to increase awareness of pedestrian and cyclist safety to K-12 students. The City’s goal is to continuously work toward safer infrastructure and heightened awareness throughout our community.

“We are excited about how Harrisonburg City Public Schools are continuing participation in the Safe Routes to School program such as walking or biking ‘school buses,’ students walking the track as ‘buses’ arrive, through school bike units, or other safe walking and biking education opportunities,” Harrisonburg Public Works Safe Routes to Schools Coordinator Andrea Troyer explained in a press release. A walking ‘school bus’ or ‘bike bus’ is a group of children walking or biking to school with adult supervision, usually with a set route, designated areas and pick up time to join along the way.

“Bike & Roll to School Day is about celebrating where our community is currently with biking/walking/rolling to school while also building participation in these activities,” Troyer continued. “We encourage local students and families to participate in the day if they can!”

School-specific activities for Bike & Roll to School Day are being communicated by each participating school. School and City staff are providing guidance on safety the day of the event and helping to lead walking and biking “buses” at participating school routes. For schools that are participating, parents and guardians can support their children by joining the ride or walk, ensuring that proper safety gear, including helmets, is worn. Harrisonburg Police Department staff also will take part in the event to help escort and to assist in road crossings during travel to school.

Visit https://www.harrisonburgva.gov/bike-roll-to-school for additional information about the Bike & Roll to School Day.

Questions about the event may be sent to Andrea Troyer by emailing andrea.troyer@harrisonburgva.gov or by calling 540-434-5928.