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Westlake Bay Village Observer: Bay biking challenge has its rewards

May 14, 2013

Scan of May 14, 2013 Westlake Bay Village Observer article

By Kaia Atzberter

Fifth-grader at Bay Middle School

Bay studnets are taking out their bikes for the annual Bike to School Challenge. It is a three-week bike challenge to get kids out and about on their bikes.

Each day they earn a stamp if they biked, and on some days they can earn extra for wearing a helmet. Also on some days they can earn a prize, including Subway coupons, water bottles, T-shirts and ice cream.

It started on Monday, May 6. Also, on the first day, a TV news crew got footage of the students to be put on the 6 p.m. newscast. On the first day there were already 544 bikers at the middle school and others at the high school not yet added to this total.

The grand prizes are a new bike, a season pass to Cedar Point or a magazine subscription. I think this is a very fun program. This program is a great way to save the planet.

So even if you're not in Bay Village, or you're not a student, or both, ahve fun, save the planet and bike. During this program teachers give up their morning preparation time to help make sure the students make it to school safely. They do this by getting to school early, and standing outside to help guide the students to their school.

Even though biking may mean getting up a few minutes earlier, it is really fun. I know it's harder getting up earlier -- it's hard on me too -- but once you're riding you are sure to have fun. So if you aren't biking yet, grab a friend and bike with them. I know that's what I do and its much more fun with a friend around.

Also if you are biking with a friend make sure you both always know when, or if, you are biking. This is important because you don't want to be late for school because of a misunderstanding. This has been your Big Bay Event news from a fifth-grader's point of view.