Published on June 06, 2023
In May, the City of Menlo Park Safe Routes to School team joined two schools' bike buses to gain insight into implementing bike buses in more schools next year and to gather input from parent bike enthusiasts. A bike bus is similar to a walking school bus, but on bikes. It involves students from multiple families riding together to school, supervised by adults, following a designated route and schedule. At Oak Knoll Elementary, a bike bus was established at the start of the school year, operating three to five days a week. Parents expressed that riding as a group to school not only provides a pleasant way to exercise in the morning but also an opportunity to connect with neighbors and socialize. Children also enjoyed the chance to chat with their friends before school. At Laurel Elementary, two bike buses were organized to celebrate Bike to Wherever Days: one for the Lower Campus and another for the Upper Campus. The group reviewed road rules and proper biking etiquette before setting off. Crossing guards assisted the group in navigating challenging intersections along the way. This was a novel experience for Laurel Elementary, and some participating families mentioned that they don't usually bike to school. Some students even made new friends to ride with to school! Parent and caregiver engagement is a crucial element in the success of bike buses. Bike buses rely on parents being available in the morning and afternoon to accompany students to school. Effective communication between volunteers and families is vital to maintain the habit of biking in a group, establish the bike bus schedule and route, and ensure everyone feels safe and has fun. If you are interested in joining a bike bus, reach out to your school's PTA or contact the City of Menlo Park Safe Routes to School Coordinator at saferoutestoschool@menlopark.gov.