The East Coast Greenway Alliance marked the first year of its Greenway Bike Bus to Southwest Elementary School, encouraging families to bike, walk or roll to campus together.
Over 60 students and parents gathered at Woodcroft Medical Center before traveling less than a mile to the school along the greenway.
The event builds on an existing "bike bus" program for students who live nearby, allowing them to ride together through surrounding neighborhoods each day.
Participants said the group ride offers a meaningful way to stay engaged and start the day on a positive note.
Southwest Elementary Principal Nicholas Rotosky said the shared ride helps students arrive ready to learn while strengthening connections among classmates.
"It makes such a big difference because they're ready for learning when they get there," Rotosky said. "It's also built friendships -- fifth graders taking care of second graders, walking arm in arm and getting excited after school to ride their bikes home together. It's been pretty amazing and has built a really strong community at Southwest."
Download the ABC11 News app