High Springs Launches First “Bike Bus” For Students

HIGH SPRINGS – Students at High Springs Community School will have a new way to get to campus next month as part of a nationwide effort to promote bicycle safety and healthy activity.

Safe Kids North Central Florida is inviting students and families to participate in National Bike and Roll to School Day on May 6, 2026, a community-wide event designed to encourage safe, active transportation. The event coincides with National Bike Month and will bring together students, parents, educators and local safety agencies.

Organizers say the annual observance highlights biking and similar forms of travel as “fun, healthy, and safe ways for children to get to school,” while reinforcing the importance of safety practices such as wearing properly fitted helmets.

This year’s event will introduce High Springs’ first “Bike Bus,” a supervised group ride in which students and families travel together along a planned route to school. Adult volunteers and local safety partners, including the High Springs Fire Department and High Springs Police Department, will help lead and support the rides.

“The Bike Bus is about more than just getting to school; it’s about building confidence, creating connections, and showing kids that being active can be both safe and fun. We’re excited to bring this opportunity to families in High Springs,” said Jordyn Zyngier, coordinator for Safe Kids North Central Florida. “We also want to remind families that a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injuries in a crash. 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.”

Participants can choose from two routes, both departing at 7:15 a.m. and arriving at the school around 7:40 a.m.

According to route materials, the Downtown route will begin at the Old School Community Center and travel through several intersections along Main Street before merging with the Bailey route near the school.

The Bailey route will start at the entrance to Bailey Estates on Northwest 190th Avenue, making multiple neighborhood stops before joining the Downtown route at the school campus.

Event organizers said the Bike Bus model provides a structured and visible way for children to ride together while practicing traffic safety skills and building community connections.

For the event, all participating students will be required to wear helmets. Families who need assistance obtaining helmets are encouraged to contact the High Springs Fire Department.

“Bike and Roll to School Day is a great opportunity to engage with our community and reinforce the importance of wearing proper safety gear,” said Kevin Mangan, public information officer for the High Springs Fire Department. “We’re especially excited to introduce the Bike Bus this year, which allows families to ride together in a visible, organized group while practicing traffic safety skills. We’re proud to partner with Safe Kids North Central Florida to make this event both fun and safe for our students.”

Families are encouraged to review route maps, stop locations and additional details in advance through the city’s website.

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