HIGH SPRINGS – High Springs students will again have the opportunity to bicycle to school as a group Sept. 16 when the community’s “Bike Bus” returns following its debut earlier this year.
Safe Kids North Central Florida is organizing the ride for students at High Springs Community School as part of National Walk & Roll to School Day, an initiative aimed at promoting bicycle and pedestrian safety and encouraging active transportation to school.
The High Springs Bike Bus debuted in May during National Bike and Roll to School Day. The program brings students and families together for a supervised ride along predetermined routes, with adult volunteers and local public safety agencies helping guide participants to school.
The High Springs Fire Department and High Springs Police Department will again support the September event.
Participants may choose between two routes.
The Downtown Route will begin at the Old School Community Center, continue to the Civic Center and travel along Main Street to High Springs Community School.
The Bailey Route will begin at the entrance to Bailey Estates on Northwest 190th Avenue and include several neighborhood stops before joining the Downtown group on the way to the school.
Both groups will converge at High Springs Community School, where students will be greeted by community partners and guests.
Organizers say the group format provides children an opportunity to practice bicycle safety skills while encouraging physical activity and allowing families to become more comfortable with biking to school.
“We are so excited to bring the Bike Bus back to High Springs and give families another opportunity to experience firsthand how fun, healthy, and safe walking and biking to school can be,” said Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator for Safe Kids North Central Florida. “Events like this bring our community together while helping children build confidence, learn important pedestrian and bicycle safety skills, and see that active transportation can be a part of their everyday lives.”
The September ride follows the inaugural High Springs Bike Bus held May 6. That event also featured Downtown and Bailey routes and involved the city’s fire and police departments.
Safety remains a central component of the program. All students participating in the Bike Bus are required to wear helmets. Families needing assistance obtaining a helmet are encouraged to contact the High Springs Fire Department.
Zyngier said bicycle-related injuries remain a leading cause of trauma among patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital and stressed the importance of helmet use.
“We also want to remind families that a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injuries in a crash,” Zyngier said. “Bicycle-related injuries remain a leading cause of trauma among patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, yet many children in Alachua County still ride without helmets.”
High Springs Fire Department Public Information Officer Kevin Mangan said the program also reflects the community involvement behind the event.
“The bike bus is a microcosm of life in High Springs,” Mangan said. “It’s neighbors helping neighbors, coming together to support one another, cheer each other on, and have fun as a community in a safe and healthy environment.”
Families are encouraged to review route maps, stop locations and frequently asked questions before the Sept. 16 event. Additional information is available at https://www.highsprings.gov/bikebus.
# # #
email editor@
alachuatoday.com
