How can we get our children to school without feeling tired, grouchy and not having to breath in polluted air in the back of a car or around the school gate. Catch the bike bus!
Growing in popularity is the concept of the “bike bus”. This method of getting to school is spreading fast. Here’s why:
The idea of a bike bus or a bike train is a group cycle ride, often led by a parent which stops off at numerous points along the way to pick up fellow riders going to school. The idea is to build in activity into the start of the day; getting blood pumping around the body and to the brain and puts it in optimal learning mode.
Sometimes riding alone can feel intimidating or unsafe amongst streets clogged with large cars and SUVs dropping right outside the school gate. This dangerous competition of all the drivers fighting for space adds to the stress for children and parents alike. Cycling with others creates a feeling of safety with increased visibility and the ability to ride right up the school gate without this stress.
A bike bus has recently launched in Sherwood, Nottingham. Local Mum and organiser Hayley said “I am delighted to be part of the Haydn Road School bike bus, the smiles on the children’s faces are everything and I urge anyone thinking of joining one to give it a go”.
It takes place on the last Friday of every month and is getting more popular. The children get to school feel energised and alert and ready to learn. Often there’s a music bike playing some happy feel good tunes as group rides to begin the school day.
A few bike buses appeared back around 2010. But the concept has really taken off recently with increased social media, and parents realising that something needs to be done to prevent the dangerous competition to drop children off right outside school. With the benefits of incorporating activity into the school day, and reducing the risks of cars around children, primary schools up and down the country and in fact all over the world are beginning to set up their own bike buses.
Why not start a bike bus at your school? We would love to know if there are any other bikes buses in Nottingham.
Sustrans has put together a resource pack called FRideDays Bike Bus. There’s a lot of support including materials such are marshal tabards and a how-to guide. Maybe you want to do it more than once a month?
Coming up on 24th March until 4th April is the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event. The aim is to get as many children as possible to walk, scoot or cycle to school It is a great opportunity to launch a walking or bike bus. Ask your school to have a look at the materials Sustrans have produced and find out more at https://bigwalkandwheel.org.uk/
Useful resources are below the photos of some recent bike buses in Sherwood.
Have a listen to an episode of the Streets Ahead podcast where Bike Buses were discussed.
Here’s a recent Sustrans webinar about FRideDays Bike Bus:
https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/fridedays-bike-bus/