Fairfax County Police Department officers will ride alongside students at Wolftrap Elementary School's bike train on Wednesday, Oct. 14, from 8 to 9 a.m.

The FCPD's weekly community events calendar lists the event at 1903 Beulah Road in Vienna, under the McLean police district. Separately, the Wolftrap PTA's bike train page shows a route starting at Liberty Tree Lane and Beulah Road, with families able to join at any point along the way.

The bike train at Wolftrap has deep roots. Parent Jeff Anderson launched "Wolfie's Bike Train" in spring 2009 as a monthly ride-to-school program after pushing the school to install its first bike rack during the 2008-09 school year, according to a 2014 Salud America report. As many as 75 students have pedaled to school on a single bike train day, the report found.

The idea spread. The program inspired similar efforts at Lake Anne Elementary in Reston and Hollin Meadows Elementary in Alexandria.

Advocacy by Wolftrap parents and a districtwide Safe Routes working group helped lead the Fairfax County School Board to vote unanimously in January 2012 to update district policy. The change recognized the benefits of walking and biking to school and gave parents the right to decide whether their child walks or bikes.

The Oct. 14 ride caps a busy stretch of bike-friendly events across Vienna. Town of Vienna Police, Mayor Linda Colbert, Chief Janickey and Deputy Chief Huchler greeted students at Cunningham Park Elementary School for Bike to School Day on Wednesday, Oct. 7, according to the Vienna Police Department on X.

Residents can learn about FCPD community events by emailing [email protected] or subscribing to the McLean District Station newsletter at fairfaxcounty.gov/mailinglist under Public Safety.

Upcoming community events:

  • Saturday, Oct. 10, 10 a.m.: Bicycle Advisory Committee Fall Community Bike Ride, Town Hall rear parking lot, 127 Center Street S. Free, approximately six miles. (Town of Vienna)
  • Saturday, Oct. 17, 1-4 p.m.: Vienna Health Fair (Vienna Police Department)
  • Sunday, Oct. 18, 11 a.m.-1 p.m.: Cops & Kids Fun Run (Vienna Police Department)