Montgomery County Officials Take Part in ‘Bike and Roll to School Day’ at Forest Knolls Elementary School in Silver Spring

For Immediate Release: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

The Montgomery County Department of Transportation (MCDOT) today joined students and faculty at Forest Knolls Elementary School in Silver Spring to host a celebratory event in honor of National Bike and Roll to School Day. The event was one of many across the nation to promote pedestrian safety and walkable communities and encourage active lifestyles.  

The event was organized by MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School program as part of the County’s Vision Zero efforts.  County Councilmember Will Jawando and Sierra Gray, legislative aid to Councilmember Laurie-Anne Sayles, joined MCDOT Deputy Director Haley Peckett and MCDOT’s Safe Routes to School (SRTS) staff. Also participating were County Vision Zero Coordinator Wade Holland, County police officers, firefighters from the County Fire and Rescue Service, MCDOT’s Zeal the Safety Zebra mascot and Sparky, the Fire and Rescue Dog. 

“We want kids to feel safe walking and biking to school, and that means building communities where families don’t have to rely on a car or bus for every trip,” said County Executive Marc Elrich.  “MCPS and MCDOT are showing what’s possible when we combine infrastructure improvements with real community engagement. I appreciate the work we are doing through Vision Zero and Safe Routes to School to help make safe, healthy, and sustainable transportation options available to our schools as an option for students across the County. I hope Bike and Roll to School Day will encourage children and their families to consider alternatives to driving when planning their travel.”

By incorporating exercise into their daily routine, students can create habits that promote a lifetime of healthier living. Regular physical activity not only reduces childhood obesity, but also improves concentration and memory, strengthens the immune system, improves sleep and reduces stress. 

“MCDOT is committed to working with schools to foster a safe and welcoming environment for children to walk, bike or scooter to school,” said MCDOT Director Chris Conklin. “We deliver engaging, student-focused safety programs such as Walking Wednesdays and bike rodeos to schools to encourage students to choose active options when going to school. In addition, we are conducting pedestrian safety audits of our public schools and making necessary improvements.”

Pedestrian safety audits evaluate walkability within a one-mile radius of elementary schools, 1.5 miles of middle schools and a two-mile radius of high schools. MCDOT has completed 78 walkability studies since 2018. The program completed 17 school walkability audits in fiscal year 2024 and added pedestrian safety infrastructure in these areas.

Partners in Bike and Roll to School Day include Montgomery County Department of Police, the Montgomery County Fire and Rescue Service and Montgomery County Public Schools. 

To learn more about National Bike and Roll to School Day, visit walkbiketoschool.org. Visitors will find ideas and best practices from the National Center for Safe Routes to School. View photos of the event here.

For information on MCDOT programs and services visit montgomerycountymd.gov/mcdot, follow @MCDOTNow on X, Bluesky, Instagram, Facebook, and subscribe to MCDOT’s “Go Montgomery!” newsletter.  

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Release ID: 25-083
Media Contact: Emily DeTitta, 240-372-2282