Swarms of young people on two wheels rolled through Oak Bay Thursday morning in a “bike train” as Bike to School Week wound down.
“It’s awesome that the PAC is continuing the bike to school week,” said Coun. Mihcelle Kirby who joined the young cyclists. Bike to school week
The final leg of the South #OakBay #BikeTrain is on it's way! #BikeToSchool #BikeToSchoolWeek @MayorNils @Willows_PAC pic.twitter.com/4785xMVsSL
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) May 11, 2017
“It’s building a culture of biking to school and that builds it into their day. It’s such a good thing. Without those parent volunteers handing out the prize tickets and keeping the momentum going it wouldn’t be happening. If you don’t have a consistent message coming to continue doing these kinds of things it won’t carry on.”
About 40 to 50 students rode in the north Oak Bay train with about 20 on the south train, slightly fewer than 2016. The trains rolled through each neighbourhood picking up elementary students along the way.
North #OakBay @Willows_PAC #BikeTrain full of riders this morning! Thnx Chief Brinton for leading the way & Councillor @tcroft60 for photos! pic.twitter.com/19PgJGmyu9
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) May 11, 2017
“It’s to encourage our kids to get on their bikes and bike to school or use their bikes as much as much as possible, and to encourage bike safety,” said Mayor Nils Jensen who also rode the south train. “There’s an opportunity to tell them a little bit about how to be safe on the roads. Many of our local students still come to school in cars and wherever possible I’d like to encourage people to walk or bicycle. This is one way to demonstrate to the kids that kids biking is great fun and an easy way to get to school.”
Oak Bay Police Department officers cycle with the “trains” as a safety precaution.
“With the support of the Oak Bay police it just makes it that much more fun and safe,” Kirby said.
Thanks to École Willows School #BikeTrain leaders + caboose riders! Great way to start the day! @MayorNils @tcroft60 @OakBayPolice #OakBay pic.twitter.com/IT6Kne0oxe
— Michelle Kirby (@MichelleKOakBay) May 11, 2017
Kirby happily noted the 16 or 17 bike racks when they arrived at École Willows Elementary were full up.
“All the kids at Lansdowne and Monterey (middle schools) ride because they started at Willows and they’ve discovered it’s way faster than walking,” she said.
“It starts off your day in such a better space. You start by feeling good. There’s something about riding a bike that just makes you feel good and it’s a great way to start your day especially if you’re off to school.”