The Safe Routes Partnership was proud to support the 2025 Bike & Roll to School event, hosted by our friends at the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center. With incredible efforts by Safe Routes to School coordinators, partners, and volunteers, students biked, rolled, and scooted their way to school.
In Riverside, California, Longfellow Elementary went all out with their Every Kid Deserves a Bike celebration. One hundred 4th graders pedaled off with brand-new bikes. Before hitting the Bike Rodeo for hands-on safety training and bike education, students posed for photos with the California Highway Patrol and picked out a free bike helmet.
Out in Nevada, the Clark County School District in Las Vegas had a fantastic turnout. Students rolled into school on bikes and scooters, showing the joy and independence that comes with active transportation.
Over in the small town of Tipton, Iowa, over 50 students and 20 adult volunteers came together for the community’s first-ever Bike & Roll to School Day .
“Rural communities like Tipton have the chance to lead. With sidewalks and new bike lanes, it can be the kind of town where you park once, then walk or bike the rest of the way. Getting exercise and connecting with your surroundings improves quality of life,” wrote Matt Burkey, Iowa Bicycle Coalition Safe Routes to School manager.
Kansas Celebrations
And in Kansas, schools and communities celebrated in a big way, with Bike & Roll to School Day events taking place across the state, from Moundridge to Topeka to St. George and beyond.
In Moundridge, Becky King and her team used KDOT Kickstart grant funds to host a fun and educational bike safety event at the local library. A local bike shop covered maintenance and helmet safety, and a local officer held a Q&A to kick things off. They didn’t stop there: Becky’s team secured a larger grant from a local community foundation and have since seen more students walking and biking to school. Despite rain on Bike to School Day, over 30 kids participated in the day’s event.
The week wrapped up with a pedal-powered homemade ice cream party at the library. Becky says the town is seeing more helmet use and greater awareness of people walking and biking: “The events we’ve been doing for three years have become traditions. People ask when the next one is. We’re excited to see the momentum and participation grow!”
In Abilene, Parks & Recreation Director Kellee Timbrook was among the first in the state to register for Bike & Roll to School Day. While she initially considered canceling due to low interest, community support built quickly. Energized by the response, Kellee hosted a successful Walk & Roll to School Day on May 7 and is already planning ahead for next year.
In Topeka, Andy Fry, a parent, active transportation advocate, and SRTS Advisory Committee member, used Kickstart grant funds to partner with a local artist and design reflective logos for Bike Train t-shirts and stickers. On May 16, students and caregivers from three neighborhoods joined Andy and the school principal on a ride to Randolph Elementary. Riders received bells and bike lights for safer summer adventures, and Andy led by example, modeling safe biking practices all the way.
In St. George, students joined Police Chief Dale Burton and School Resource Officer Deputy Stephen Martinez for a community park-and-ride to St. George Elementary. Participants received free helmets from Safe Kids Kansas, along with safety tips and cheers from local officers. Chief Burton, a proud member of the KDOT Safe Routes to School Advisory Committee, is a tireless champion of safer streets.
From rainy rides to creative gear, Kansas showed what a true statewide celebration looks like—bringing together schools, cities, and families to make active transportation joyful, safe, and something everyone looks forward to year after year.
Looking Ahead
As summer approaches, it’s the perfect time to start dreaming up your next celebration.
Whether it’s your first Bike & Roll to School Day or your fifteenth, these moments build stronger, healthier communities, one pedal at a time.
View our Bike & Roll toolkit View our Bike & Roll webinarView more photos
Photo and stories provided by our friends
- Philip Nitollama, PE, TE – City Traffic Engineer, City of Riverside
- Jennifer Grube – Clark County School District Safe Routes to School Coordinator
- Ann Katt – Kansas Department of Transportation Safe Routes to School Coordinator
- Matt Burkey – Iowa Bicycle Coalition Safe Routes to School Manager
Do you have photos or stories you’d like to share with us? Send us an email – info@saferoutespartnership.org – we’d love to see your celebrations!