The sun had yet to come up, but that failed to deter a large group of kids, parents, and staff gathering beside the Parent Resource Center on Friday morning, waiting to participate in Anna K. Davie’s Bike Ride to School Event.
One parent stood close to his daughter, shaking his head.
“It’s usually hard waking her up to get to school on time. This morning, she hopped out of bed, got dressed, and was ready to go earlier than she has ever had before. She couldn't wait to be here,” he said.
The large gathering of students on bikes and scooters drew a big smile to Julie Smith’s face. Smith, the Executive Director of TRED (Trails for Recreation and Economic Development), and TRED partner with the school to help run the event, making sure everyone has a bike helmet and that any students who might need help or a push up a hill get it.
"This is the third year we've done this. We're so happy to partner with Anna K. and show kids that they can ride bikes to school,” Smith said. “This is a great neighborhood. More kids on bikes is great. Studies show that kids' attention is better once they get to school, if they've ridden bikes or exercised, so this is just a win-win for everybody.”
Smith got everyone ready for the event, and then Rome City Schools Superintendent Dr. Eric L. Holland got the kids pumped up.
“When I say AKD, you say the place to be,” Dr. Holland said over a speaker a few times with the parents and students shouting the phrase, getting louder each time they said it.
Moments later, the riders were off. Led by City of Rome Police Officers on motorcycles, the entourage made its way from the resource center to Anna K. Davie roughly three-quarters of a mile away.
Students of all abilities made the journey with some blazing to the school with no problem. Some rode the route with training wheels and others jumped on scooters. The common theme for all were big smiles and laughter coming from participants along the route.
“I think this is great. It gets kids out, gets them active, gets them pumped up, and gets them to school. The other thing is this is kicking off their spring break, so I know they're all excited,” Rome City Commissioner Harry Brock said. “As a kid, when I was in first and second grade, my mother didn't have a driver's license. I had two older sisters, and she taught at the school that I was at. We would ride our bikes to school every day. All of us. Even after she got her driver's license, I still rode my bike to school. I just think it's a great way to start your day.”
Once at the school, students parked their bikes or scooters, gathered their backpacks, and snagged some water and a snack before heading to class.
Anna K. Davie Principal Brant Amerman was one of several staff members welcoming the kids. Just like the students, the staff members wore big smiles too.
“For the last couple of years, we've had this event. Every year, more and more students participate. It is a great way to get our spring break started having all these students ride their bike to school,” he said. “The area in South Rome is really great to ride bikes around. So this is a way for the students to see that they can ride their bike safely around the neighborhood.”