RENO -- Washoe County School students are taking part in “Bike to Work, School and Fun Week” by participating in various events designed to draw attention to the health benefits of bicycling.

At Mendive Middle School and Katherine Dunn Elementary School, students will take part in “bike trains,” consisting of an adult bicyclist riding first in line (the engine), a small group of students bicycling behind, and a second adult riding last (the caboose).

“Biking to school is a great way to introduce your child to the joys of bicycling in a safe environment,” said Officer MJ Cloud, who represents the Washoe County School Police Department and Safe Routes to School. “Biking is a fun and independent way to explore your neighborhood.”

Each rider will be given safety packets containing reflective leg bands, blinky lights, and bike maps. Helmets will be given to any student wanting to take part in the event who does not have a helmet. From Mendive Middle School, the bike train will ride together through neighborhood streets to the bike path along Sparks Boulevard until they reach Wild Island. Volunteers from Safe Routes to School, Safe Kids, Regional Transportation Commission, and the Reno Bike Project will ride with the students.

Bike Week events were organized by Safe Routes to School and the Truckee Meadows Bicycle Alliance. For more information on bike events at your school, visit http://www.washoe.k12.nv.us/students/saferoutes or http://bikenevada.org/kids

Safe Routes to School has presented biking safety information at five elementary schools: Jessie Beck, Spanish Springs, Caughlin Ranch, Brown, and Westergard.