All Aboard! Fairfax County Public Schools encourage students to take ‘bike train’ to school

FAIRFAX COUNTY, Va. ( DC News Now ) — Students across the DMV are heading back to school, and safety is a big concern for parents. Fairfax County Public Schools ( FCPS ) is encouarging students to ride their bikes to school and set up a “bike train.”

This is when a group of students and adults cycle to school together, making stops along the way to pick up other riders.

“Given the proximity of the neighborhoods and how many kids walk, I thought it would be a good thing to organize it and get them out there and show them that you can ride your bike to school,” said Matt Glassman, the Founder of the Marshall Road Bike Train, for Marshall Road Elementary School.

The school district said the bike train, also known as a “bike bus,” not only teaches children they don’t have to rely on cars to travel, but it also good for their physical, mental and emotional health.

In addition, bicycle safety redeos can be offered to school communities to ensure students learn safety skills.

FCPS said parents should consider the following to determine if their child should bike to school:

• Student age, maturity, and physical condition
• Is the route to school along quiet streets?
• Does the school have a bike rack to secure the bicycle and the student has a lock?
• Have you practiced the route to school with your child?
• If your child is more comfortable riding on the sidewalk, remember to yield to pedestrians and give an audible signal when approaching and passing a pedestrian.
• Does your student understand and follow the rules of the road? Stopping at stop signs, riding with traffic, obeying crossing guards, and yielding to pedestrians.
• Students under the age of 15 are required to wear a helmet by Fairfax County law.
• Students should wear bright or reflective clothing.
• Be alert, be predictable, and pay attention to your surroundings.
• As the student approaches their school and encounters more pedestrians, the student should dismount and walk their bike to the bike rack.
• Consider starting a neighborhood bike train to school. Safety in numbers.

FCPS said riders do not have to sign a permission slip to join. If you would like to organize a route, email the Safer Routes to School at, saferoutestoschool@fcps.edu

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