Hillsborough schools mark Walk & Bike to School Day Wednesday, with Sulphur Springs K-8 as the city's featured stop

AI-generated illustration. A child-sized bicycle, walking shoes and a backpack beside a clear sidewalk illustrate everyday school travel. Inspired by the story and Tampa.

Students at dozens of Hillsborough County public schools will walk and bike to class Wednesday, Oct. 7, for National Walk & Bike to School Day, marked this year by the nonprofit Sidewalk Stompers with Hillsborough County Schools and the City of Tampa.

According to a City of Tampa news release, 37 district schools are registered to take part in 2026. Times vary by campus, and two schools have scheduled their events for the following week.

Walk & Bike to School events later in the morning or on another date

School	Date	Time
Macfarlane Park Elementary Magnet	Oct. 7	8–8:45 a.m.
Lincoln Elementary, Plant City	Oct. 7	8:30–9 a.m.
Eisenhower Middle, Gibsonton	Oct. 7	9–9:30 a.m.
Tinker K-8	Oct. 7	9–9:30 a.m.
Wilson Middle	Oct. 7	9–9:30 a.m.
Broward Elementary	Oct. 14	6:45–7:35 a.m.
Corr Elementary, Gibsonton	Oct. 14	7–7:35 a.m.

Source: tampa.gov

Why Sulphur Springs is the focus

The city's featured stop is Sulphur Springs K-8 at 8412 N. 13th St., where the event runs 7:15 to 8 a.m. Hillsborough Schools Chief of Staff Dr. Marie Whelan and city Mobility Director Brandon Campbell are scheduled to welcome arriving students.

The school does not provide buses. The release says walking and biking are a significant part of how its students get to school, and that good, connected walking and biking access is essential for regular, on-time arrivals.

Wednesday also marks the launch of a partnership between Sulphur Springs and Sidewalk Stompers to promote safe routes to school.

"National Walk & Bike to School Day recognizes the importance of giving children safe and healthy routes to school," Sidewalk Stompers President Emily Hinsdale said in the release. The group, launched in 2018, runs programs on student health, mental wellness, community connections and road safety.

When your school is walking

The most common window on the city's list is 7 to 7:35 a.m. That includes Seminole Heights Elementary, Hunter's Green Elementary, West Shore Elementary, Maniscalco K-8 in Lutz, Collins PK-8 in Riverview and Wilson Elementary in Plant City.

Some campuses use a slightly different early window. Woodbridge Elementary starts at 6:45 a.m. Adum K-8, Dowdell Middle Magnet and Thompson Elementary in Ruskin run 7:15 to 8 a.m., and Dorothy York Innovation Academy in Apollo Beach runs 7:40 to 8:10 a.m.

Schools with later Wednesday times, and the two set for Oct. 14, are in the table. Families who don't see their school in this story can check the full list in the city's release or ask the school office about plans for the morning.