Old Greenwich School's bike safety program helped Greenwich earn one of six statewide 2026 Vision Zero Connecticut Programs of Distinction from the Connecticut Department of Transportation.

The CTDOT and the Vision Zero Council recognized the school, which serves pre-K through fifth grade, for its GEAR UP OGS program. The initiative puts bike safety training into physical education classes. An award ceremony took place at CTDOT headquarters.

Bob DeAngelo, a League Cycling Instructor with the League of American Bicyclists, leads the program. Greenwich Free Press first reported that during the 2025-26 school year, DeAngelo ran hands-on training sessions in PE classes at the 385-student school, teaching bike and pedestrian safety skills based on the League's curriculum.

GEAR UP OGS stands for Get Moving, Embrace Growth, Advance Skills and Ride Smart. Greenwich Public Schools congratulated DeAngelo, principal Dr. Jennifer Bencivengo and Old Greenwich School PTA Health & Wellness Chair Jenny Tooter for building the program.

All three appeared at the ceremony alongside CTDOT Safe Routes to School Coordinator Bridget Moriarty and CTDOT Commissioner Garrett Eucalitto.

The Vision Zero Council is an interagency group created by the Connecticut General Assembly in 2021 under Public Act 21-28. Its goal is eliminating transportation-related deaths and severe injuries among pedestrians, bicyclists, transit users, motorists and passengers. The Program of Distinction for Schools, established under Public Act 23-116, recognizes districts that teach students transportation safety skills.

Five other districts also earned the 2026 award. East Hartford, Vernon, Madison, Fairfield and Waterbury were recognized for hosting in-school safety programming, community bike buses and walk-bike-and-roll events.

The school is also launching weekly "bike trains" this fall. Starting Oct. 23, students in third through fifth grades can ride to school in neighborhood groups led by trained parent volunteers every Friday. Younger students in kindergarten through second grade may join with a parent or caregiver. Helmets are required for all riders, according to the Old Greenwich School PTA.

A virtual parent information session is scheduled for Friday, Oct. 2, from 9 to 9:45 a.m., according to the PTA website. CTDOT funding helped provide bike safety instruction and equipment for the program.