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TWU collaborates with local schools, NGO and business to support kids cycling to class

Annual Bike to School Week sees 28% of Langley's Topham Elementary students walking or biking to school by mid-week

“When we think of humanity’s impact on the planet, and how we are overstretching almost all the ecological resources and the biocapacity of the planet, creating a smaller transportation and mobility footprint is one really important key to sustainability. Cycling, walking and rolling are all ways that we can use to contribute to meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as creating sustainable mobility in cities and addressing climate change."
 
— Dr. Geraldine Jordan, TWU Associate Professor of Geography


Trinity Western sponsored Bike to School Week this week, May 31 - June 4, 2021 at Langley schools James Kennedy Elementary (JKE) and Topham Elementary. The annual event hosted by HUB Cycling–Langley promotes physical activity among kids and families by encouraging students to bike, walk, or roll on scooters or wheels to school.

According to HUB Langley, the benefits of biking or rolling to school include having students arriving energized and ready to learn, reduced congestion around schools, and an increased sense of school community.

Schools were also encouraged to connect the event to their ongoing environmentalism and sustainability curriculum.

Participants were entered into a daily draw to win prizes sponsored by HUB Langley and Velocity Cycles in Langley. Prizes included water bottles, front bike lights, rear bike lights, bike bells, socks, and reflectors. 

The Geography and Environmental Studies program at TWU sponsored the printing and cutting of over 900 informational flyers that were sent home along with numbered wristbands to students at JKE and Topham. Dr. Geraldine Jordan, TWU Associate Professor of Geography, is a parent at JKE and also a HUB Langley Committee member. Dr. Jordan coordinated the sponsorship of the flyers and stated that “This tangible component of the event was really helpful for families to feel invited into the Bike to School Week event.”  

By mid-week this week, 102 bikes and scooters were seen parked at the bike racks of JKE. Dr. Jordan noted that for JKE, Wednesday’s bike rack count is equivalent 16.3% of the school’s student population. 

At Topham on Wednesday, there were 78 bikes and scooters in the bike racks. “Topham’s student population is 274, and so for Topham, the bike rack count alone is an impressive 28%!” Dr. Jordan commented. 

Dr. Jordan pointed out that the support and collaboration of Langley school administrators, teaching staff and the Topham parent advisory council were key to the success of Bike to School Week, especially for running the contactless prize draw for students. 

Promoting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals

Moreover, Dr. Jordan stated, “When we think of humanity’s impact on the planet, and how we are overstretching almost all the ecological resources and the biocapacity of the planet, creating a smaller transportation and mobility footprint is one really important key to sustainability.”

“Cycling, walking and rolling are all ways that we can use to contribute to meeting United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, such as creating sustainable mobility in cities and addressing climate change. So Bike to School Week is part of a much larger picture of contributing to human and planetary well-being, both in the present and for the future,” she said.

“During Bike to School Week, students at JKE and Topham have done an impressive job to show what substantial contributions can be made by participating in sustainable transportation, by biking, walking and rolling.” 

Langley’s Bike to School Week was hosted alongside BC’s Go By Bike for Schools, a province-wide event run by GoByBike BC Society. 

Read this story in the Langley Advance Times.


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About Trinity Western University

Founded in 1962, Trinity Western University is Canada’s premier Christian liberal arts university dedicated to equipping students to establish meaningful connections between career, life, and the needs of the world. It is a fully accredited research institution offering liberal arts and sciences, as well as professional schools in business, nursing, education, human kinetics, graduate studies, and arts, media, and culture. It has four campuses and locations: Langley, Richmond-Lansdowne, Richmond-Minoru, and Ottawa. TWU emphasizes academic excellence, research, and student engagement in a vital faith community committed to forming leaders to have a transformational impact on culture. Learn more at www.twu.ca or follow us on Twitter @TrinityWestern, on Facebook and LinkedIn.

For media inquiries, please contact: media@twu.ca