More than 1,000 District 200 students take part in Bike to School Day

More than 1,000 Wheaton Warrenville Unit District 200 students hopped on their bikes and rode to school together earlier this month, in celebration of National Bike to School Day.

Jim Knasel, chairman of Whittier Elementary School PTA's National Bike to School Day committee, said the weather on May 4 was a little cooler than previous bike to school events, but the turnout of 1,010 kids was still outstanding.

“For Whittier, it was the best turnout we had,” he said, referencing the 250 students from the school who started the day in Wheaton's Kelly Park.

Students from Bower, Emerson, Pleasant Hill and Sandburg elementary schools, and Edison and Franklin middle schools also participated in the event, which encourages kids to exercise before school, as it may help them focus better when they get into the classroom.

Before heading off to school, the students who gathered in Kelly Park watched a watermelon smashing demonstration to learn the importance of wearing a helmet while riding a bike.

Knasel said the school district has hosted bike to school days twice a year for about three years, once in May in conjunction with National Bike to School Day and again in October, during Walk and Bike to School Day. He said the events are successful thanks to the support of parents and teachers who promote the program and get the kids excited.

“Hopefully after the event they'll start riding their bikes to school more,” he said, adding that before this year's event there were about 10 to 15 bikes at Whitter, but in the days to follow around 40 to 50 were parked outside the school.