RALEIGH -- Governor Pat McCrory is encouraging students and parents across North Carolina to enjoy the warmer weather by biking to school on Wednesday, May 4, for National Bike to School Day.

"I am proud to support Bike to School Day in North Carolina,” said Governor McCrory in a press release. “Biking to school is a great way for children to be physically active and we encourage students and families to look for opportunities to ride or walk, whether it’s to school or to explore their communities and our state."

Nearly 150 North Carolina schools have registered events, setting a new record for participation in the state. And while North Carolina is the ninth most populous state in the country, we currently rank fourth in the nation for the number of registered Bike to School Day events.

The growing popularity of Bike to School Day in North Carolina is due in large part to Active Routes to School, a partnership project between the North Carolina Department of Transportation and the North Carolina Division of Public Health. Ten Regional Active Routes to School Coordinators are working to make it easier for elementary and middle school students around the state to safely walk and bike to school.