Rolling to school together: Safe Kids NCFL introduces “Bike Bus” for High Springs students
Press release from Safe Kids NCFL and the High Springs Fire Department
HIGH SPRINGS, Fla. – Safe Kids North Central Florida (SKNCFL) is inviting students from High Springs Community School to celebrate National Bike and Roll to School Day on Wednesday, May 6, 2026, in High Springs. This community-wide event will bring together students, families, educators, and local safety partners to promote bicycle safety and encourage active transportation to school.
Observed in hundreds of communities nationwide as part of National Bike Month, Bike and Roll to School Day highlights biking and rolling as fun, healthy, and safe ways for children to get to school. The event also emphasizes critical safety practices, including wearing properly fitted helmets every time children ride.
This year’s celebration will feature the debut of High Springs’ inaugural “Bike Bus,” a fun and structured group ride to school. A Bike Bus is a supervised group of students and families who travel together along a planned route, led by adult volunteers and supported by local safety partners, including the High Springs Fire Department and Police Department.
Participants can join one of two routes, both starting at 7:15 a.m. and arriving on campus around 7:40 a.m.
Participants can join one of two routes:
The Downtown Route will begin at the Old School Community Center, continue to the Civic Center, and travel along Main Street to the school.
The Bailey Route will start at the entrance to Bailey Estates on NW 190th Avenue, making several neighborhood stops before joining the Downtown group at the school.
Both routes will converge at High Springs Community School, where students will be welcomed by community partners and special guests. The Bike Bus promotes physical activity, builds community connections, and provides a safe, engaging way for children to practice important bike safety skills.
“The Bike Bus is about more than just getting to school; it’s about building confidence, creating connections, and showing kids that being active can be both safe and fun. We’re excited to bring this opportunity to families in High Springs,” said Jordyn Zyngier, Safe Kids North Central Florida Coordinator. “We also want to remind families that a helmet is the single most effective way to prevent head injuries in a crash. Bicycle-related injuries remain a leading cause of trauma among patients at UF Health Shands Children’s Hospital, yet many children in Alachua County still ride without helmets.”
For this event, all students participating in the Bike Bus will be required to wear a helmet, and caregivers in need of one are encouraged to contact the High Springs Fire Department for assistance.
“Bike and Roll to School Day is a great opportunity to engage with our community and reinforce the importance of wearing proper safety gear,” said Kevin Mangan, Public Information Officer for the High Springs Fire Department. “We’re especially excited to introduce the Bike Bus this year, which allows families to ride together in a visible, organized group while practicing traffic safety skills. We’re proud to partner with Safe Kids North Central Florida to make this event both fun and safe for our students.”
Families are encouraged to review route maps, stop locations, and frequently asked questions in advance. For more information about the High Springs Bike Bus, visit https://www.highsprings.gov/bikebus.