Almost back to school: this is how you start a bicycle bus in your neighborhood

It’s time to go to school again and more children than ever are cycling to school in the bicycle bus.

The roots of the bike bus phenomenon go back to 2020 in Spain, when two teachers from the El Petit Miguel school in Vic decided to accompany nine children to school by bike. The program, which navigated the busiest and most polluted streets of the Osona region, was stopped due to the pandemic, but was revived in the fall of the same year. Locals demanded a safe cycling infrastructure and thus “BusBici” was born. The concept has grown organically and rapidly since its inception. To date, 40 bus lines have been launched in the Barcelona metropolitan area with 790 participants, and the numbers are increasing every week.

Across the pond, the bike-bus movement has also gained traction. Sam Balto, a physical education teacher in Portland, Oregon, was inspired by the success of the bike-bus model in Barcelona and started a similar project at his school, Alameda Elementary. Balto’s bike-bus initiative quickly grew into a weekly event, bringing more than 100 students to class on two wheels every Wednesday.

“I always felt like there was something missing in student transportation. People are hungry for more community-based options for how their kids get to school. With the pandemic and the resulting isolation, just the joy of the bike buses really resonated with people. We create that sense of community and see the kids thrive. I think people love it when a community comes together for the kids,” Balto noted of the widespread and positive response to the project.

The bike bus trend attracted the attention of academics and urban planning specialists around the world, leading to the first international bike bus summit.

As we look to the future, the trend is more than just a new way to get to school; it’s a testament to the resilience and adaptability of communities. Bike bus programs around the world are living proof that environmental stewardship, public health, and community building can all be achieved simultaneously. They represent a commitment to cultivating a more sustainable and healthy future for children.

This movement is poised to become a staple in child transportation, changing the narrative from passive commuting to active, engaging journeys. It’s a future where streets are less congested, air quality improves, and kids can connect with their peers outside the classroom before the school bell rings.

As Balto puts it, “We want to show cities and states that kids biking or walking to school is the norm, not the exception. The Bike Bus is more than a trend; it’s a movement toward a brighter, healthier, more connected future.”

Sam Balto and the Bike Bus Crew (Photo: Jonathan Maus/Bike Portland)

Start your own bike bus

For those who are fascinated by the movement and would like to make this positive change in their local community, here are some key steps to starting your own bike bus.

1. Build a group of interested families: Reach out to parents, teachers, and students in your community who are interested in promoting active transportation. Engage in local community forums, school newsletters, or social media to generate interest. Remember, the initiative doesn’t have to start big. Even a few families can make a significant impact.

2. Plan your route: Think carefully about the routes from different neighborhoods to the school and make sure they are safe for the children. Ideally, the routes should have less traffic and lower speed limits. They should also be manageable for children of different ages and cycling abilities. Remember, the goal is not to get to school as quickly as possible, but to make sure everyone arrives safely and enjoys the journey.

3. Set a schedule: Depending on the availability of participants, decide whether the bike bus will run daily, weekly or on specific days. The frequency can be increased as more families join the initiative.

4. Safety First: Make sure all participants understand the importance of wearing a helmet and following traffic laws. Bicycle safety sessions can be organized to teach children about traffic signs, signaling, and safe cycling practices. Appointing adults as “bike bus drivers” to lead the group, and “bike bus guards” to ensure safety at the back can further enhance safety.

5. Develop a contingency plan: Weather conditions or unexpected events can occasionally disrupt the bike bus schedule. Creating a contingency plan, such as carpooling or sharing public transportation information, will ensure that children can still get to school even if the bike bus is unable to run.

6. Involve local authorities: The support of local governments or school authorities can make a big contribution to the success of your bike bus initiative. They can help address safety issues, arrange necessary permits and may also be able to contribute resources to your cause.

7. Create a positive and inclusive culture: Encourage camaraderie among students and foster a culture of inclusivity. Make sure everyone feels welcome, regardless of their cycling ability. The bike bus is more than just a means of transportation: it’s an opportunity for kids to make friends, build confidence, and develop a lifelong habit of physical activity.

Sources

There is more and more information available to help those interested in starting a bike bus. Here are some of the best.

Here’s a guide from Cycling Scotland.

And one from Alto’s hometown of Portland.

And one of Safer Routes to School.

Final thoughts

As Sam Balto, the pioneer behind the movement in Portland, Oregon, says, “Starting a bike bus is like planting a seed. It starts small, but with care and persistence, it grows into something bigger and more beautiful. It’s about cultivating a love of cycling among kids, encouraging them to embrace healthy lifestyles, and shaping a future that values ​​sustainability and community.”

It is indeed an empowerment initiative that not only benefits the children and their families, but also contributes to the larger goal of creating more sustainable and livable cities. And with every new bike bus that hits the road, we are one step closer to this vision.