Students, teachers, parents and staff gather in front of the flagpole at Eduardo Mata Montessori School in Dallas. The late spring air is crisp, but children excitedly roll around the parking lot on their bicycles and scooters, wrapped tightly in their jackets, ready to take part in Bike and Roll to School Day.  

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A kindergartner named Lincoln rides his Spiderman bicycle up and down the ramp, His dinosaur mohawk helmet sticking out among all the other children. He patiently waits for the go-ahead from his father standing on the steps watching over him; Lincoln is among the first children to head out on the pre-planned route.  

“We don’t let him ride to school just yet because he’s too young, but stuff like this is fine because there’s so many other kids,” Lincoln’s father said.  

Alex Martinez stood by his truck, pumping the tires of his children’s bicycles before they left for their ride. His son, 10, and 13-year-old daughter both participated in this year’s Bike and Roll to School Day. Both of his children are on the Autism spectrum and keeping them active is a priority for Martinez and his wife.  

“They have a higher [academic] performance when they are physically active,” Martinez said. “My daughter, she’s a straight-A student.” 

Martinez said physical activities such as riding bikes, gymnastics, soccer and swimming help his kids regulate their emotions.  

Bike and Roll to School Day encourages students, parents and staff to either walk or take a bicycle to or from school and work, fostering activity and habit-building among children. The North Central Texas Council of Governments promoted the nationwide event locally. 

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“The main purpose of this promotion is to help parents and students bike to school and create positive, safe experiences with activity,” Shawn Conrad, land-use and mobility options program manager, said. She added participation in events like Bike and Roll to School Day could result in better health and academic performance because it establishes regular physical activity. 

The promotion also addresses environmental and traffic-related issues. 

“One of the biggest issues with kids walking and biking is traffic safety,” Conrad said. “Bike and Roll [to School Day] is meant to encourage walking, biking and rolling to school in a safer manner. 

The first Bike and Roll to School Day was held nationally in 2014 in coordination with the League of American Bicyclists’ National Bike Month, and the North Texas region participated. 

“This is the third time our school has participated in [Bike and Roll to School Day],” said Princess Martinez, principal of Eduardo Mata Montessori School. “It’s about half a mile from the school to the pavilion, so it’s good exercise.” 

According to the council, 31 school districts and more than 150 K-12 schools in North Texas have participated in Bike and Roll to School Day events. Two drawing contests were hosted by the council, with winners receiving a new bike and helmet. This year’s winners are from Ashworth Elementary School in Arlington and Eduardo Mata Montessori School in Dallas. 

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