BikeWalkSolana promotes ‘safety first’ in Solana Beach

With school now in session, BikeWalkSolana is reminding children and parents that safety comes first when walking, riding or rolling to school in Solana Beach.

To prepare for the new school year, the local community group held a Bike Safety Rodeo Aug. 21 to teach elementary school students and their parents the importance of fun and safe bicycle riding through a series of interactive stations. About 20 children ages 5-8 participated in the event, which included a bike safety inspection and helmet fitting, and emphasized the rules of the road and safe routes to school.

“Schools are back in session, so more kids are walking and riding,” said Kristine Schindler, a committee member for BikeWalkSolana, a local community group that works for better and safer bicycling and walking facilities, and promotes cycling and walking in Solana Beach. “We want to make the community aware of that so they’re alert and have good driving behaviors.”

The group’s next Bike Safety Rodeo is planned for Nov. 16. The workshop will take place either at La Colonia Community Center, which is where the last Bike Safety Rodeo was held, or Skyline Elementary School.

In the meantime, BikeWalkSolana members have reached out to local schools and recently met with Lisa Denham, principal of Skyline, and Lisa Platt, principal of Solana Vista Elementary, to reiterate the importance of safe walking, riding and rolling habits.

“Both principals have been very supportive of more walking, riding and rolling to school,” Schindler noted. “They acknowledge the benefits of active transportation to health, environment, community and the quality of life.”

For more about BikeWalkSolana and the group’s events, visit bikewalksolana.org.