A wheel good time: Kids brave autumn’s chill to bike to school

As the sun rose over Gerow Park on October 10, MJ Markowsky and her dad, Eric, joined a crowd of kids balancing on bikes and scooters. They were all gearing up at 8 a.m. for the annual Bike to School day.

“I told my mom I was going to bike today, and she said, ‘OK, but bundle up,’” MJ said, her breath steaming around her and a light fog billowing up over Warner’s Pond. 

MJ, now in fourth grade, has been participating in Bike to School since she was in kindergarten, and the cold was not going to deter her. 

Student Emmelina Zhang was also not afraid of the brisk weather or a technical difficulty, even though it was her first time biking to class. 

“My front tire on my bike wasn’t good,” Emmelina explained, “so I have my scooter.” 

Emmelina’s mom, Helen, explained that their family had moved to Acton last year and she thought the event would be perfect for her sporty daughter. “We are very excited,” she said. “She’s athletic, and this seemed like a good way to get out with others.” 

Emmelina and MJ were among the second group of kids to ride along the Bruce Freeman Rail Trail to school that day. Even earlier, at 7 a.m., a small group of kids got rolling on their way to the Ellen Garrison Building at Acton Middle School. 

Phil Posner, an organizer of the event and a Transportation Advisory Committee member, was pleased with the turnout. 

“We had about 24 bikes and two scooters by the time we made it to the middle school,” he told The Acton Bridge while preparing for the day’s second ride, this one to Thoreau Elementary. “Looking at all we have here, I would call this day a success.” 

The day before, Posner helped roughly 100 bike riders on their way to Alcott Elementary, making this year the biggest yet for the event, by his estimation. 

Although one day of bike rides that week had to be rescheduled due to rain, Posner said, “I think we’re fortunate that the weather gods have been nice to us most of the time.” 

He said that he hopes this event encourages students to bike to school together more often. 

But for MJ, the event is a chance to do something she said she wishes she could do every day — ride her bike. 

“I just think it’s really fun,” she said.