As we transition into the beautiful late Autumn, early Spring weather, I wanted to take a moment to share a personal highlight from my weekly routine—riding my bike (actually  my son's e-bike) to school once a week. What started as a practical choice has become one of the most enjoyable parts of my week, and it's something I encourage more of our school community to consider.

Riding to school isn’t just good for our health and the environment—it sets a positive tone for the day. The fresh air and physical activity help me arrive energized and clear-headed, ready to support our students and staff. And I'm not alone. Many of our teachers and support staff also ride their bikes to school regularly. We’re proud to model this healthy and sustainable behavior for our students, and we’ve noticed that more and more students and families are joining us! We have recently added two more bike rack pods to facilitate this growing trend.

Safety First

Of course, safety is always our top priority. Whether you're on a traditional bike or an e-bike, here are a few important safety reminders we share with our riders:

• Always wear a properly fitted helmet. It’s the simplest and most effective way to protect yourself.
• Follow the rules of the road. Ride on the left side, signal your turns, and be aware of your surroundings.
• Be visible. Bright clothing and bike lights—especially during early morning rides—go a long way.
• Use safe routes. Stick to bike lanes and paths whenever possible. We’re happy to help students and families identify safe routes to school.
• Walk your bike from gate to rack. Once on school grounds, walking bikes helps keep everyone safe during the busy arrival and dismissal times.

A Culture of Active Commuting

It’s been heartening to see our school community embrace active transportation. Each staff member who rides is not only improving their own well-being but also showing students that movement matters. We believe that our habits as adults influence our students more than we know. Riding to school is one small way we can show what it means to live responsibly, care for the planet, and prioritize our health.

If your child is interested in biking to school but you have questions or concerns, please don’t hesitate to reach out. We’d love to support more students in joining this growing group of confident, safe riders.

Nathan Beckett Assistant Principal (Wellbeing)