Bike to School month results in low turnout

Instead of buckling his seatbelt in a car, sophomore Matt Kemble straps on his helmet before riding to school on his bicycle during Bike to School Month. The event, organized by senior Nyssa Spector and freshmen sisters Meghana and Antara Rao, has created to promote physical activity among students.

Spector said she started this event as part of her Girl Scout Gold Award project, which with creating was the new sidewalk near the back parking lot. Spector continued her project with a Bike to School month.

“I think it is a healthy, fun and environmentally friendly transportation option,” said Spector. “I want to promote it.”

Spector planned this event with the Rao sisters who had begun the planning with a project for Peter Jordan’s health class. They wanted to create a program that would raise awareness on common health issues.

Bike to School Month took place in the month of May, but faltered due to low publicity and participation. Freshman Peter Hsieh said that he didn’t even know that it was going on despite the fact that he bikes to school every day.

About 40 to 50 people participated in Bike to School Month, and Spector stood at the bike racks writing down participants’ names.

“Even though I bike to school every day, I just gave [Spector] my name whenever I locked up my bike,” said junior Rolland Wu.

Although most of the riders routinely biked to school throughout the year, the month still motivated people to bike more often.

“On May 29, we were giving away food to anyone who participated and had a raffle based on how many days people biked,” said Spector.
Spector thought that overall the event was a success that encouraged healthy living for students.