Bike Hero Award

When:  Spring

A Bike Hero is a great “roll” model! Each Spring, parents, administrators, teachers, and friends are invited to nominate a student Bike Hero.

A Bike Hero is any student who gets up early to ride regularly, inspires others to bike, eagerly rides as a passenger on a cargo bike, obeys all rules of the road, and has FUN biking.

Safe Routes to Schools –
Bike Heroes of 2025

Each Spring, parents, administrators, teachers and friends are invited to nominate a student Bike Hero. A Bike Hero is any student who gets up early to ride regularly, inspires others to bike, and obeys all rules of the road. Five Marin County students were selected to win $50.00 gift cards to a store of their choice.

Pily Cahuex, Olive Elementary, 3rd grade:

Helpful, hard Working and deserving are some of the words the staff at Olive Elementary use to describe this new Bike Hero. Pily Cahuez Orozco rides every day to school and uses her bike as her primary mode of transportation since arriving in the United States from Guatemala two years ago. Her tenacity as a cyclist and respect for the rules of the road are an inspiration to others around campus.

Pily’s tenacity is also showing in other aspects of her life. “She arrived with just one month left of school and has worked so hard to learn English and catch up with her peers in math, language arts, and science. Pily is a consummate Olive Shark,” says Emily Steffy, an office assistant at the school.

Keira Kuchel, Brookside Elementary, 4th grade:

>Keira has been riding since she could walk. She rides 2 miles to school EVERY day, from Fairfax to Brookside Elementary School in San Anselmo. She started riding to school in 2nd grade with us (her parents) but this school year she started riding by herself! She is a great little rider and we are so proud of her. You may spot Keira cruising through Fairfax with her school hamster backpack on weekdays, and on weekends on one of the great trails around Fairfax (even Tamarancho!). Go Keira!

Kai Milliet, Davidson Middle, 6th grade:

<>He is a cautious, responsible, safe, and consistent cyclist who gets himself to school on time throughout the year and is proud to do so! His route to school takes him across major thoroughfares, like 2nd and 3rd streets. He gets there safely and on time while not riding out of control.

Lily Wild, White Hill Middle, 7th grade:

Lily bikes to school every day to make it to 00 period band class that starts at 7:10 in the morning. She safely bikes in the rain, in the dark, and on beautiful days. Cycling before 7am in winter with lights on is no easy feat! She always stops at stop signs and uses hand signals to let cars know she is coming. She is truly a bike hero!

Ryan Koenig, Del Mar Middle, 8th grade:

Ryan has significant special needs, but that has never stopped him from embracing the joy and freedom of biking. Every school day, Ryan gets up early so he can take his time and safely ride his bike to school. Biking is not just transportation for Ryan; it’s a source of pride, independence, and happiness.

What makes Ryan a true “roll” model is his respect for the rules and his willingness to adapt. When we learned that electric scooters weren’t allowed for his school commute, Ryan didn’t complain or look for shortcuts. Instead, he enthusiastically switched to his bike, even though it meant more effort and planning. He always wears his helmet and follows all the road rules.

Ryan shows everyone that biking is for everyone, no matter their abilities or challenges, and that it can be fun, safe, and empowering.