Women bicycling across US for Safe Routes to School

The journey from Key West to San Francisco takes about 6 hours by plane, or 3 days by car.  Jane Ward, Jeanie and Chelsea Ward-Waller, and Stephanie Palmer are completing the trek of more than 5,000 miles in a little less than 3 months--on their bicycles.

At the National Bike Summit last week, I had the pleasure of meeting Jane's husband and Jeanie and Chelsea's father, Stephen Waller.  Stephen told me about the inspiring journey that these four women embarked upon to support the Safe Routes to School National Partnership.

Jeanie, an avid cyclist and triathlete, first came up with the idea to ride across the country. "I wanted to bike across the country for a cause that I really cared about," she says.

An environmental science teacher in West Virginia, Jeanie decided to take a semester off and make this dream a reality.  She planned a 5,500 mile route through 13 states and 20 major cities to raise $25,000 and create awareness for the League of American Bicyclists and Safe Routes to School.

Both Jeanie and Jane rode their bikes to school as children. "Active commuting, starting early in childhood can become a lifelong habit," Jane says. "Children who exercise on the way to school and during the school day, do better in school."

Safe Routes to School is a Federal Highway Administration program dedicated to making it easier for students to walk or bike to school by addressing the safety risks associated with walking and riding a bike.  In 1969, 50% of all school children walked or rode a bike to school, but by 2005 that number was down to just 15%. 

So Congress established the national Safe Routes to School program. Since then, local, state, and national efforts to increase safe walking and bicycling for America's schoolchildren have multiplied across the country, and--with support from our National Center for Safe Routes to School--they are thriving.

Along the way, the intrepid cyclists have stopped by schools and given presentations on bike safety and riding to school. 

These women are obviously dedicated to their cause, but they've also found time to have some fun. Today, for example, they're taking a day off from their grueling bike schedule to hike in Big Bend National Park in Fort Davis, TX. 

While they're getting some well-earned R&R, I encourage you to visit their Ride For Safe Routes website. And, if you do visit the site, don't miss their online counter for miles ridden, sunscreen used, and turtles saved.

That's right, Jane, Jeanie, Chelsea, and Stephanie are not only promoting safe, healthy routes for our children; they're also saving turtles.  And for all of that, I say thank you and please stay safe.

You can contact the group through rideforsaferoutes@gmail.com, their Facebook page or their Twitter account.

And if you want to get involved in or plan your very own bike to school event, visit Safe Routes because the first-ever National Bike to School Day is coming up: Wednesday, May 9. And a new website, www.walkbiketoschool.org, and GIS-powered Map-a-Route tool will be launched early next month.

Comments

[MarkB]

The IRRESISTIBLE FORCE of "woman". BRAVO!

[Steve Waller]

What an inspiring group of ladies! Routes will be safe when the women say they are. Us guys will ride without regard to the risk to our health. This small group of dedicated bike advocates will change the vision our transportation system for many Americans forever.
As Margaret Mead said, "Never doubt that a small group of thoughtful, committed citizens can change the world; indeed, it's the only thing that ever has." She was right.

[Pedometers]

What an awesome group of ladies and a great cause to support. As a child I was able to walk or ride my bike to school. Unfortunately my children are unable to do this because of unsafe conditions. Thanks for bringing this problem to peoples minds!