I discovered this great short video of a bike bus project in Vienna, VA. If you are not familiar with the concept, a bike bus works like a real bus with “stops” along the way to pick up riders. Essentially, a leader starts the ride and brings riders into the group at predetermined times and locations. It offers a safe group for those nervous about biking on the roads with experienced transportation cyclists answering questions and providing support. It has been used in other communities to not only help children but also adults new to bike commuting. I thought about doing this for my child’s school last year for Walk to School Day, but ran out of time to pull it together. Now I’m inspired to try again.
on Jul 28th, 2010 at 2:48 pm
I have worked on a Safe Routes to School (SRTS) Project for the last 2 years in 10 E. Austin elementary and middle schools. We have had a great deal of success with walking school buses. Biking to school has been more of a challenge for a number of reasons. In May, we held our first Bike to School Day at all of the target schools and had a fair amount of participation. This coming year, we are hoping to get more kids riding by starting bike trains, BOWWOW promotions (bike on Wed., walk on Wed.) providing locks, providing bike safety education, and starting after-school bike clubs.
We have a Coalition that meets monthly. If you would like to get on our SRTS Coalition mailing list, please send me an email.
on Jul 29th, 2010 at 3:48 pm
I have worked on the SRTS Coalition with Doug and am happy to share that biking to school is in all SRTS dialogue these days. That is where I first heard of Biking and Walking School buses. Doug’s group has been very supportive of our Kid Commute initiative in the first school in Texas this February, and will be supporting the program (www.boltage.org) as we launch 3 more funded projects in schools this coming fall. They do some great work!
We would love to have you join all of the volunteers, that are determined to make these programs a success.
Dept. of Health and Human Services and Bike Texas both received grant funding for SRTS safety education in the coming school year. We are thrilled to work with them.