Buffalo, NY (WBEN) About 50 children from Bennett Park Montessori School, Olmsted School 64, and Tapestry Charter will ride their bikes to school Wednesday as opposed to taking the bus or having their parents drive them to classes.
Kevin Heffernan of Gobike Buffalo says it's all part of National Bike Month. "National Bike to School Day was last week, but in Buffalo, we tend to bump it by a week and the weather rewarded us for that," says Heffernan. He says it's an effort to highlight the physical and mental health benefits of riding a bike to school. "They're forming bonds with the friends they ride in with. When we were talking during COVID, about how are these kids connecting to each other, if they're not in school, this is a really great way for them to develop even stronger connection than they would just sitting in the car drop off lane," adds Heffernan.
Heffernan says the groups will meet at Roosevelt Plaza for Bennett Park Montessori School, and at Elmwood/Bidwell and the Buffalo Zoo for Olmsted School 64 and Tapestry Charter School. "We have our team sort of get out ahead, step into an intersection, let all the kids pass and repeat as we move through each intersection. The kids almost have a perfect flow the whole way," explains Heffernan.
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For drivers who normally commute in those areas, Heffernan says, put the phones down, slow down and be patient. He says when a biker is in front of you, odds are they're really only delaying you by a few seconds.
Heffernan says this also builds confidence in young students. "If you can ride to school with your friends, what else can you do with those friends and ride safely to do so. So this is one thing where we're saying you can navigate this, you can pretty much navigate everything," says Heffernan.
Groups going to Olmsted School and Tapestry Charter will gather at 7am, and Bennett Park students will ride at 8am.