EASTHAMPTON — Walking “five miles and uphill both ways” to school is no longer reserved for the tall tales of grandparents.
Easthampton High and White Brook Middle School students will participate in the first bike and walk to school day on Wednesday.
While their route will be shorter and flatter than the claims of many a grandparent, the students will get a chance to have fun and practice healthy habits by using their legs or bicycles to get to school, according to Laurie Garcia, a member of the Easthampton School Committee and the Wellness Committee.
The elementary schools plan to do a walk and bike to school day of their own on June 1, after they finish their MCAS testing, Garcia said.
On Wednesday, the middle and high school walkers and cyclists will meet at 7:30 a.m. at the Safety Complex next to the Manhan Rail Trail. The students will grab a bagel donated by Tandem Bagels, before heading to school.
Wednesday is National Bike to School Day, which is meant to encourage healthy lifestyle habits and bring attention to traffic safety in areas where students bike or walk to school.
M.J. Tidwell can be reached at mjtidwell@gazettenet.com.