CORALVILLE, IOWA (June 3, 2025) — Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day 2025 was a resounding success across Iowa, with a record-breaking 132 schools participating in events throughout the state. This enthusiastic turnout helped Iowa rank fifth in the nation for per capita participation, outpacing most states and showing the power of community-driven efforts to promote active and accessible alternative transportation, healthier lifestyles, and community building.
This event is a part of the Safe Routes to School Program run by the Iowa Bicycle Coalition in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation.
From small towns to urban neighborhoods, students, families, and educators came together to walk, bike, and roll to school — many as part of group events that featured neighborhood meet-up points, safety lessons, and fun community celebrations. This year featured bike buses around the state from Des Moines to Iowa City and Tipton.
“This year’s response has been incredible,” said Matt Burkey, Safe Routes to School Director for the Iowa Bicycle Coalition. “We’re proud to see so many Iowa schools and families embracing this event, which not only promotes safe and active travel but also strengthens our communities and sets kids up for lifelong healthy habits.”
The impact of Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day goes far beyond one morning. The event sparked conversations about safe routes, traffic calming, and active living — and in many cases, got entire families walking and biking together.
Parents and caregivers joined their children on the way to school, rediscovering the joys of active commuting and modeling healthy behavior for the next generation.
Schools used the event as a springboard for year-round initiatives that promote physical activity, student wellness, and safer streets. With strong support from schools, families, and communities, Iowa continues to lead the way in showing how a simple walk or bike ride to school can create big, lasting change.
The Iowa Safe Routes to School is a program of the Iowa Bicycle Coalition in partnership with the Iowa Department of Transportation (IDOT). Our goal is to work with schools and communities to improve the built environment so kids can more easily walk and roll to school. SRTS achieves these goals by educating volunteers and providing onsite resources as well.
