By The Numbers: 2011 Bike to School Challenge

Bike to School Challenge racked up some impressive numbers from May 9-27, 2011 -- numerical proof the students embraced bicycling to school and made a significant impact upon their community.

But did the three-week challenge leave a lasting impression? The answer is a resounding YES. Yesterday (May 31), the first Monday AFTER Bike to School had ended, there were 148 bicycles parked at Rocky River Middle School (almost one-fourth of the students biked to school) and 280 at Bay Middle School (35%).

Check out the tally from 2011 Bike to School Challenge:

• 32,034: Total miles biked to school from May 9 through May 27 by students of Bay Middle School (pictured above on May 9), Bay High School, and Rocky River Middle School – enough miles to circle the globe and then some!
• 35,237: Estimated pounds of carbon dioxide emissions saved.
• $5,795.92: Estimated savings by students in gasoline expenditures.
• 400%: Increase in average number of bicyclists to Rocky River Middle School per day during the three-week initiative, from 49 to 193.
• 430 students (53%): Bay Middle Schoolers biked to school on average each day.
• 130 students (16%): Bay Middle Schoolers who bicycled all 15 days of the challenge.
• 1,070: Number of students who biked to all three schools on the challenge's highest ride day, Wednesday, May 11.

In Bay Village:

• Students at Bay High and Middle Schools bicycled a combined total of 22,751 miles, saved 25,026 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions, and saved $4,116 on gasoline.
• This is the fourth year for Bike to School Challenge in Bay Village. In all four years, Bay students have bicycled a total of 102,803 miles to school and saved 113,083 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions.

At Bay Middle School:

• 430: Average number of students who biked to school per day, or 53% of the BMS student population.
• 575: Number of students who biked on the highest ride day, on May 11, when 70% of the students biked to school.
• 18,046: Total miles biked by BMS students during BTS. The average round-trip to BMS is 2.78 miles.
• 130: Number of BMS students who biked all 15 school days of the challenge, or 16% of the BMS student population.

At Bay High School:

• 126: Average number of BHS students who biked to school per day, or 15% of the BHS student population.
• 199: Number of students who biked on the highest ride day, May 11, when 25% of BHS students biked to school.
• 4,705: Total miles biked by BHS students during BTS. The average round-trip to BMS is 2.48 miles.

At Rocky River Middle School (which launched its first Bike to School Challenge this year):

• 193: Average number of RRMS students who biked to school per day – or 31% of the school, which is quadruple the RRMS average of 49 bicyclists per day.
• 311: Number of students who biked on the highest ride day, May 13, or 50% of the school.
• 9,283: Total miles biked by RRMS students during BTS. The average round-trip to RRMS is 3.2 miles.
• RRMS students also saved 10,211 pounds of carbon dioxide emissions and $1,679.50 on gasoline.

Program statistics are estimates calculated using daily bike counts and the results of student surveys. Gas savings is estimated based upon a vehicle that gets 21.5 miles per gallon and an average gasoline cost of $3.89 per gallon.

Bike to School Challenge averages are in stark contrast to national averages: According to the Safe Routes to School Partnership, only about 15% of U.S. children bike or walk to school today, versus approximately 50% in 1969.

For more information about Bike To School Challenge, visit www.centurycycles.com/for/BTS.