Schools Nationwide to Celebrate Bikeable, Active Communities
CHAPEL HILL (May 5, 2015) – Students, parents and many other supporters across the country will be pedaling to school on Wednesday, May 6th, as they ride their bikes in celebration of the fourth annual National Bike to School Day.

Communities will celebrate the big day with bike rides and bike trains to school to highlight the benefits of active transportation. As of today, over 2,200 schools have registered their Bike to School Day events on http://www.walkbiketoschool.org. The total number of events is expected to grow as celebrations continue throughout May, National Bike Month.

“Every child should have the opportunity to walk, bike or ride the bus to school safely,” said U.S. Secretary of Transportation Anthony Foxx. “Improving bicycle and pedestrian safety is a top priority for the Department, especially as more and more Americans are choosing these options for getting to work, school and other places. The Obama Administration is proud to support National Bike to School Day and encourages families to practice safe biking habits every day.”

“We’re excited to see the energy and momentum for Bike to School Day grow year after year,” said Lauren Marchetti, Director of the National Center for Safe Routes to School, which coordinates National Bike to School Day. “It’s inspiring to see the number of communities and families that come together on this day to support active transportation and safe environments for biking and walking to school.”

Bike to School Day events are being held nationwide on Wednesday and throughout the month of May. In 2014, 2,222 events registered for Bike to School Day, a 30 percent increase from the previous year. To browse names and locations of registered 2015 events, visit http://www.walkbiketoschool.org/go/whos-biking/2015.

For the second year in a row, the National Center will be teaming up with Schwinn’s Helmets on Heads program for the National Bike to School Day Helmets on Heads Bike Share Giveaway. This giveaway will provide ten bikes and 20 helmets to ten schools and community organizations that register their event at walkbiketoschool.org. Six schools have been selected already. There will be two final drawings on May 6th and May 31st.

“At Schwinn, we are dedicated to bicycle safety,” said Milissa Rick, Senior Director of Marketing for Schwinn. “Bike to School Day is a great day to celebrate an active trip to school, and it’s the perfect day to highlight the importance of correctly wearing a helmet every time you get on a bike.”

Helmets on Heads is a comprehensive initiative committed to educating one million kids about bike helmet safety over 10 years. Each year Helmets on Heads engages with educators, local communities, and families by providing information and resources to get involved and take action on helmet safety.

Also, new this year, the National Center for Safe Routes to School is partnering with Sportworks to give away two bike racks in celebration of Bike to School Day. For more giveaway details, event ideas, and event registration visit http://www.walkbiketoschool.org.

About National Bike to School Day
The first-ever National Bike to School Day took place on May 9, 2012, in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month. The event builds on the popularity of Walk to School Day, which is celebrated across the country – and the world – each October. Many communities and schools have been holding spring walk and bicycle to school events for years. National Bike to School Day provides an opportunity for schools across the country to join together to celebrate and to build off of the energy of National Bike Month.

About the National Center for Safe Routes to School
Established in May 2006, the National Center for Safe Routes to School assists states and communities in enabling and encouraging children to safely walk and bicycle to school. The National Center serves as the information clearinghouse for the federal Safe Routes to School program with funding from the U.S. Department of Transportation Federal Highway Administration. Part of the University of North Carolina Highway Safety Research Center, the National Center also provides technical support and resources and coordinates online registration efforts for U.S. Walk to School Day and Bike to School Day and facilitates worldwide promotion and participation.

About Helmets on Heads
Helmets on Heads is a comprehensive initiative from Schwinn meant to encourage and educate bike riders of all ages on the importance of wearing helmets. In 2014 and 2015, Schwinn partnered with the National Center for Safe Routes to School to reach and engage educators, local communities, and families across the U.S., with information and resources to get involved and take action on helmet safety. Helmets on Heads is driven by a desire to have every rider wearing a helmet, and is committed to educating one million kids about bike helmet safety over 10 years. Learn more at http://www.helmetsonheads.org.

About Schwinn
Founded in 1895, Schwinn is an American icon, building some of the best-known and best-loved bicycles of all time. With a continued dedication to quality, forever synonymous with the Schwinn name, America’s most famous bicycle brand looks forward to providing another century of innovation and performance to people of all ages. Information about Schwinn bicycles is available at http://www.SchwinnBikes.com.