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A group of Asbury Park students and adults met early Thursday morning at Springwood Avenue Park to participate in Bike to School Day, administered by school officials and EZ Ride’s Lisa Lee, manager of bike & pedestrian programs and the Safe Routes to School coordinator.

Held in recognition of National Bike Month the ride traversed from the park to Barack Obama Elementary School, located on Bangs Avenue.

Lee said 11 kids rode and free helmets were provided those who didn’t have them. They were joined by seven adults, including Principal Reginald Mirthil – an Asbury Park native, and Parent Liaison Racquel Mattis, who helped coordinate the event.

The day prior, the 325 of the school’s student body were given tips on bike safety, Lee said. The safety program included a tutorial on New Jersey rules of the road for cyclists, which included explaining riders must stay on the right side of motor vehicles because bicycles are considered vehicles per state law, Lee said. They also learned how to scan and signal, what the signals mean, and the importance of four safety rules – stop, look both ways, listen, and think before crossing streets, Lee said.

In the end they played a game to help learn the parts of the bike and Hackensack Meridian Health provided jump ropes for the student riders to encourage other physical activity, she said.

EZ Ride is among a group of Mayor’s Wellness Committee community partners are holding National Bike Month events this month. For more information, click here.  

[Photos courtesy of EZ Ride]

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