How to start a bike bus in your community

It’s back-to-school time again, and more kids than ever are riding their bicycles to school as part of a bike bus.

The roots of the bike bus phenomenon trace back to 2020 in Spain when two teachers from El Petit Miguel school in Vic decided to accompany nine children to school by bicycle. Navigating through the busiest and most polluted streets in the Osona region, the program was halted due to the pandemic but found new life in the fall of the same year. The local population demanded a secure cycling infrastructure, and thus, the “BusBici” was born. The concept has grown organically and swiftly since its inception. As of now, 40 bus lines have been launched in the Barcelona Metropolitan Area with 790 participants, and the numbers are increasing each week.

On the other side of the pond, the bike bus movement has been gaining significant momentum as well. Sam Balto, a physical education teacher in Portland, Oregon, took inspiration from the success of the bike bus model in Barcelona and started a similar project in his school, Alameda Elementary. Balto’s bike bus initiative quickly turned into a weekly event, bringing together more than 100 students every Wednesday in a two-wheeled parade to class.

“I’ve always felt like something was missing in student transportation. People are craving more community-centered options for how their children get to school. With the pandemic and resulting isolation, just the joy of the bike buses sparked something in people. We’re creating that sense of community, and seeing the children thrive. I think people love a community coming together for the children,” Balto remarked on the widespread and positive reaction to the project.

The bike bus trend caught the attention of academics and urban planning specialists worldwide, leading to the first international bike bus summit.

As we look to the future, the trend is more than just a novel way of getting to school; it is a testament to the communities’ resilience and adaptability. The bike bus programs globally are living proof that environmental awareness, public health, and community-building can all be achieved simultaneously. They represent a commitment to cultivating a more sustainable and healthier future for the children.

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

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

Sam Balto and the bike bus crew (photo: Jonathan Maus/Bike Portland)

Starting Your Own Bike Bus

For those intrigued by the movement and eager to implement this positive change in their local communities, here are some key steps to kickstart your own bike bus.

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

2. Plan your route: Carefully consider the routes from various neighborhoods to the school, ensuring that they are safe for the children. The routes should ideally have less traffic and lower speed limits. They should also be manageable for kids of different ages and biking abilities. Remember, the goal is not to get to school as quickly as possible but to ensure everyone arrives safely while enjoying the journey.

3. Establish a schedule: Depending on the participants’ availability, determine whether the bike bus will operate daily, weekly, or on specific days. The frequency could be increased as more families join the initiative.

4. Safety First: Ensure all participants understand the importance of wearing helmets and following traffic rules. Biking safety sessions can be organized to teach children about road signs, signaling, and safe biking practices. Appointing adults as ‘bike bus drivers’ who lead the pack, and ‘bike bus monitors’ who ensure safety at the rear can further enhance safety.

5. Develop a contingency plan: Weather conditions or unexpected events may occasionally disrupt the bike bus schedule. Establishing a contingency plan, such as carpooling or sharing public transportation information, will ensure that the children can still get to school even if the bike bus cannot operate.

6. Engage local authorities: Gaining the support of local government or school authorities can go a long way in making your bike bus initiative successful. They can help address safety concerns, facilitate necessary permissions, and may also be able to contribute resources towards your cause.

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

Resources

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

Here is a guide from Cycling Scotland.

And one from Alto’s hometown of Portland.

And one from Safer Routes to School.

Final Thoughts

As Sam Balto, the trailblazer behind the movement in Portland, Oregon, says, “Starting a bike bus is like planting a seed. It starts small, but with care and perseverance, it grows into something bigger and beautiful. It’s about fostering a love for biking among children, encouraging them to embrace a healthy lifestyle, and shaping a future that values sustainability and community spirit.”

It is indeed an empowering 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 each new bike bus that hits the road, we move one pedal stroke closer to this vision.