As with most things, COVID-19 made us reorganize Provo’s Bike to School Week in 2020. At the time when the event usually gets organized, it was still unclear whether or not students would be attending school in person. Once the school schedule looked somewhat stable, plans to hold a modified event solidified.
Bike to School Week was pushed back to the week of October 5, which coincided with National Walk to School Day on October 7. In order to minimize on-site interactions, participants were asked to share a picture of themselves, walking, rolling, or biking to school via BikeWalk Provo’s Instagram page or via email. Anyone who participated became eligible to win a prize from one of the event’s sponsors.
In all, 85 students submitted a photo! Entries came from Westridge, Wasatch, Timpanogos, Sunset View, Rock Canyon, and Provost, which had the most entries with 35 students participating. Clearly, there were many more students at more schools who walked, rolled, or bike to school during the week and it will be a goal to increase awareness of how to participate in 2021.
Every year Bike to School Week is generously sponsored by several local bike shops. This year Gary’s Bikes, Hangar 15 Bicycles, Mad Dog Cycles, Outdoors Unlimited, Provo Bicycle Collective, and Taylor’s Bike Shop all chipped in to provide a variety of prizes for students. Thanks to all of them for supporting Provo’s students in walking, rolling, and biking to school!
As a reminder, students traveling to school by foot, bike, or other active form of transportation are arriving more alert and ready to learn, are getting important physical activity incorporated into their daily routines, and are not contributing to congestion and pollution near schools that disproportionately harm children. Stay safe everyone!
