Hundreds Take Advantage of National Bike to School Day

Santa Barbara – Santa Barbara High School was a sea of bikes on Wednesday.More than 250 students took part in the first annual ‘National Bike to School Day’. A full day to promote students of all ages getting to school on their bicycles. Trading in the morning traffic for some fresh air and good exercise.It may only be a one day event, but the idea it to keep this momentum rolling.”I hope for the rest of the school year, this parking lot for bikes will be full because you know what, why not ride your bike,” said Miguel Palacios, SBHS student. “Keep the bikes coming, help reduce the traffic, it’s all good,” said Pete Chaconas, SBHS Student.Students who rode to school got free breakfast and lunch. The entire school was also treated to not just one, but two shows put on by professional BMX riders. It was a whole day of events all about the power of pedal.”The focus of the event is to get kids out there and aware that biking is fun, easy, helps traffic, saves the environment and it’s good for you,” said Chaconas. “Santa Barbara is such a little town, why not ride your bike everywhere,” said Palacios.They also raffled off two brand new bikes and all you had to do was ride to school. Scooters and skateboards counted.Also on Tuesday May 18th, Santa Barbara County is celebrating ‘Bike to Work Day’.KEY News Reporter Scott Hurst has the story.