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Willows students two-wheel it to class for Bike to School Week

Trains of kids on bikes left Monterey Middle School and Allenby Park this morning
11833065_web1_180516-OBN-BikeTrain_1
(Michelle Kirby photo)

Despite an onslaught of rain, students cycled in trains to École Willows Elementary this morning.

“We enjoy taking part in the bike rodeo each year,” said Deputy Chief Ray Bernoties, Oak Bay Police Department. “It’s a fun way for kids to develop their cycling confidence and see that they can bike to school safely.”

The May 10 bike trains are part of Bike to School Week activities. Trains left Monterey Middle School and Allenby Park this morning with students cycling in to Willlows in time for the 8:42 a.m. bell.

“Oak Bay is a fantastic community for biking so it’s hoped that initiatives such as this will help encourage safe riding practices,” Bernoties said. “99 per cent of drivers we encountered while doing the bike train were very pleasant and patient. I have nothing appropriate to offer about the other one per cent.”

Bernoties and Coun. Michelle Kirby served as engineers for the trains.

“It was really fun and amazingly lots of kids showed up,” Kirby said, noting the rain lightened up for the actual riding this morning.

About 100 kids showed up for the two group rides that exist in part, she said, to reassure parents it’s safe for kids to get to school by bicycle. This morning they did just that to the sounds of laughter and bells ringing.

“I want more kids to embrace the idea of active school travel because we know the benefits for them physically, emotionally and even intellectually, they can think better when they get to school,” she said. ‘“It was really fun and it made my day. It’s just a nice feeling to be riding together.”


 
cvanreeuwyk@oakbaynews.com

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11833065_web1_copy_180516-OBN-BikeTrain_1
(Michelle Kirby photo)
11833065_web1_BikeTrainEngineers
(Michelle Kirby photo)


Christine van Reeuwyk

About the Author: Christine van Reeuwyk

I'm dedicated to serving the community of Oak Bay as a senior journalist with the Greater Victoria news team.
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