Minnesota Schools + Communities Encouraged To Join Bike + Walk To School Day

A fun annual tradition returns in May when the Minnesota Department of Transportation presents its annual Bike and Walk to School Day.

According to MnDOT, thousands of Minnesota students are expected to gear up to participate this year for Bike and Walk to School Day, which is sponsored by Minnesota Safe Routes to School and the Minnesota Department of Transportation. It's a fun and healthy way to promote safe biking and walking activities among students and parents alike.

Gov. Tim Walz has proclaimed Wednesday, May 3 as “Walk and Bike to School Day” in Minnesota. Each year, Bike and Walk to School Day is a one-day event designed to showcase the benefits of biking and walking to school.

MnDOT says the event is not only fun and rewarding for children, but they also encourage parents and students to incorporate biking and walking into their daily routines, leading to healthier and more active lifestyles. They add that studies have shown that regular physical activity, such as biking and walking, can lead to improved physical health, mental health, and academic performance in children.

“We know students do better in school when they add physical activities to their day," said Dave Cowan, MnDOT Safe Routes to School coordinator. "This event promotes safe bicycling and walking skills that students can use throughout their lives."

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Thus far, over 130 Minnesota schools have registered their Bike to School Day events and they expect more to register prior to May 3.

In addition to the event, students can participate in Minnesota’s Bike to School Day poster contest, where they can showcase their love for biking and win prizes, including a bicycle prize pack and a bike rack for the schools of the first-place winners. Poster entries should be submitted to saferoutes.dot@state.mn.us by May 5.

If you're unsure of where the safest bike routes are to schools in your area, the Minnesota Safe Routes to School page combines the expertise of multiple state agencies with national and local partners to provide the resources needed to support walking and biking to school.