Press Release: SF Bicycle Coalition, VIPs biked to school with Rosa Parks Elementary School Students
Students, families and City officials biked and rolled into the schoolyard of Rosa Parks Elementary School this morning in celebration of San Francisco’s annual Bike & Roll to School Week. Forming a “bike train” and wearing Vision Zero capes, the youth and VIPs were greeted by Principal Darren Kawaii.
Supervisor Vallie Brown, who represents the district where the school is located, praised the students for riding and rolling to school. “Biking matters,” she said. “We’re working toward protected bike lanes — that’s key to making it a safe and easy choice.”
More than 100 schools citywide are celebrating Bike & Roll to School Week, with an estimated 6,000 youth and adults participating. “Young people are showing us the way to a more sustainable future,” said Senator Scott Wiener. “We can follow their lead by walking, biking and taking transit to school and work.”
“These students are the heroes,” said Christopher White, Program Director of the SF Bicycle Coalition. “Pedaling, scooting, walking and rolling to school is fun and a small step they are taking to change the world.”
SFMTA Director of Transportation Ed Reiskin and SF Unified School District Commissioner Jenny Lam were also in attendance supporting the young bikers and rollers. Representatives attended from many organizations working for street safety, including Walk SF, the YMCA’s YBike program, and Tenderloin Safe Passage. And the Vision Zero Hero, mascot of the City’s commitment to eliminating traffic-related fatalities by 2024, handed out yellow capes to students and officials alike.
Bike & Roll to School Week continues through Friday, with schools across SF holding local celebrations and celebrating biking, scooting, rolling and walking to school. Bike & Roll to School Week is organized by the SF Bicycle Coalition and made possible by the Safe Routes to School Partnership, a program funded by an Active Transportation Program grant from the California Department of Transportation.