Safe Routes to Schools

Walking, biking, rolling, scooting, or carpooling to school is a fun, healthy, and environmentally friendly way to start the day! Washington Elementary is proud to participate in the Alameda County Safe Routes to Schools program, which encourages students and families to choose active transportation whenever possible while building community and reducing traffic around our school.

Whether your family walks every day or joins us for a special event, there are plenty of ways to get involved throughout the year.

Monthly Bike Trains

Our Bike Train on the 2nd Wednesday of each month* makes it easy and fun to ride to school together! Families meet at designated locations and ride to Washington as a group with experienced volunteer leaders. Bike Trains help students build confidence riding safely, create community among families, and make the trip to school more enjoyable. All ages and experience levels are welcome, and families can join for the whole route or meet along the way. And… participants get donut holes!

Route #1: San Pablo Park

  • Meet at 7:50 AM at San Pablo Park at the corner of Ward and Park

  • Route: Ward → California → Channing → McKinley

  • Join anywhere along the route!

Route #2: The Hills

  • Meet: 7:40 a.m. at Terrace View Park Parking Lot, Queens Rd

  • Depart: 7:45 a.m.

  • Route: Avenida → Campus → Parnassus → Del Mar → Buena Vista → Seppala Path, by Hillside School → Le Roy → Hilgard → Arch → Virginia → Milvia → Channing → McKinley

  • Join anywhere along the route! Look for the group around Hillside School (~7:50 a.m.) and Virginia & Milvia (~8:00 a.m.)

To stay up to date on Bike Trains and other bike related adventures (or create your own route), join the Washington Bike Crew!

*Bike train dates may shift to match with other events, so keep an eye on the PTA Calendar!

International Walk & Roll to School Day - October 7th 2026

Each October, Washington joins schools around the world in celebrating International Walk & Roll to School Day. Students are encouraged to walk, bike, scooter, skate, wheelchair, or carpool to school while learning about the health, environmental, and community benefits of active transportation. It's a fun day that kicks off the school year's Safe Routes activities and celebrates sustainable ways to get to school.

BikeMobile - November 8th, 2026

One of the highlights of the year is the BikeMobile visit! Professional bicycle mechanics come to Washington to provide free bicycle safety checks and minor repairs, helping students and families get their bikes ready to ride. It's a fantastic opportunity to learn basic bike maintenance, improve safety, and make sure every bike is ready for the next ride to school.

Golden Sneaker Contest - March 2027

Every spring, students participate in the Golden Sneaker Contest, a two-week friendly competition that encourages active transportation. Each day, classrooms track how students arrive at school, earning points for walking, biking, rolling, scootering, taking the bus, or carpooling.

The competition helps students build healthy habits while reducing traffic and emissions around campus. At the end of the contest, the winning classroom earns the coveted Golden Sneaker trophy and bragging rights until next year!

Bike to School Day - May 2027

Each May, Washington celebrates Bike to School Day, inviting students and families to ride to school together. Volunteers greet riders with a festive welcome, and students enjoy celebrating the joy of biking while practicing safe riding skills. Whether you're an experienced cyclist or trying it for the first time, Bike to School Day is a great opportunity to give biking a try.

Get Involved

Safe Routes to Schools is successful because of our amazing volunteers and families. Whether you'd like to help lead a Bike Train, volunteer at an event, or simply join us by walking or biking to school, we'd love to have you participate. Every trip made without driving helps create a healthier, safer, and more connected Washington community. Join the Washington Bike Crew for more information on how to get involved.