Approximately 200 city students joined communities across the U.S. in using active transportation – cycling, rolling, and walking – to get to school today
PHILADELPHIA – Today, the City of Philadelphia, led by Office of Transportation and Infrastructure Systems (OTIS) programs Safe Routes Philly and Vision Zero Philadelphia, joined the School District of Philadelphia and approximately 200 students at 10 schools across multiple neighborhoods in participating in National Bike & Roll to School Day. The students were accompanied by family members, caregivers, school officials, and community leaders in an event spotlighting the benefits of active transportation.
“We’re excited for our families to participate in Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day because it is more than just a transportation method to get to school,” said Alison Barnes, Ed.D., Principal of Vare-Washington Elementary School. “Participating in Walk, Bike & Roll to School Day encourages physical activity, provides an opportunity to emphasize pedestrian and cyclist safety with our students, and when our students and families actively travel together, it builds a wonderful sense of community all while promoting healthy habits.”
In 2021, the City launched its Safe Routes Philly program, a youth bicycle and pedestrian safety education program, which offers targeted resources for students and educators in Pre-K, Elementary, Middle, and High School tracks. Aside from educational resources, the program serves as a liaison for school administrators and parents to organize and promote events like Bike & Roll to School Day as well as long-term biking and walking school buses.
This year’s event saw participation from 10 schools, including:
- Alain Locke School in West Philadelphia
- Alexander Adaire School in Fishtown
- Bache-Martin School in Fairmount
- Edward Gideon School in Strawberry Mansion
- General George A. McCall School in Washington Square West
- George W. Nebinger School in Bella Vista
- Penn Alexander School in Spruce Hill
- Southwark School in South Philadelphia
- Vare-Washington School in Dickinson Square West
- William M. Meredith School in Queen Village
“At one of our first Safe Routes Philly events in October 2022, we had two students bike with us to one school,” said Peter DeCarolis, Coordinator, Safe Routes Philly. “Now in May 2025, I’m proud to say we will have approximately 200 students at 10 schools participating in National Bike to School Day. By choosing active modes of transportation, we create school communities that are safer, cleaner, and greener not only for students, but the entire neighborhood.”
Each year, the National Center for Safe Routes to School (NCSRS) organizes two nationwide events in accordance with National Bike Month in May and National Pedestrian Safety Month in October with a focus on encouraging cycling and walking to school – or active transportation – in each respective event.
According to NCSRS, one-time events like Bike & Roll to School Day can increase the number of students who utilize active travel to get to school even weeks after the day of the event. Bike & Roll to School events often turn into regularly occurring walking and bicycling programs, which over time can get significantly more students walking and bicycling to school.
Parent survey data collected by 6,500 schools from 2007 through 2014 show that parent-perceived school support for walking and bicycling for the school trip increased from 24.8 percent to 40.8 percent from 2007 to 2014.
“Events like National Bike to School Day truly connect many issues that communities care about, such as traffic safety, building a sense of community, and promoting a greener and healthier lifestyle,” said Councilmember Mark Squilla (District 1). “I’m happy to join the students at Vare-Washington Elementary today as they experience the joys and benefits of developing healthier habits that can lead to academic success.”
In 2023, the City was awarded a $25 million U.S. DOT Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity (RAISE) Grant for the installation of six North Philadelphia school slow zones near Vision Zero High Injury Network (HIN) corridors. The North Philadelphia School Slow Zones program will build on the success of school slow zones at Cramp Elementary School in Fairhill and Overbrook Educational Center in Overbrook Park.
In February 2025, City Councilmember Isaiah Thomas (At-Large) introduced Bill No. 250148 to enable automated speed enforcement (ASE) in seven school zones, though the state law limits the use of ASE cameras to five designated school zones at a given time. This bill passed out of City Council on Thursday, April 24.
National Walk & Roll to School Day will return in October 2025. Teachers, administrators, and parents can sign up here to learn how to bring Safe Routes Philly programming to their school.
For more information, visit the Safe Routes Philly and Vision Zero Philadelphia webpages.