WHAT has wheels, and takes kids to school, BUT is not a car? WHAT bus can your kids ride to school, BUT is not a city bus?  Give up? Well one has been going strong in EcoMetro city Portland since September 2008. The answer is a "bike bus". A bike bus is a group of people who bike to a location, picking up new "passengers" along the way. And just like a city bus, a bike bus has set stops and a schedule. Here's how to create your own.

It started in May of 2008. Angela, a parent at my family's school sent out an email asking if there were families interested in biking their children to school. What serendipity, my family had planned to do just that. The MLC Bike Bus is established and doing well considering its humble beginnings, but that is often the case with great ideas. The MLC Bike Bus has even gained a sponsor, REI, who has provided bike maintenance workshops.

Angela has biked to school with her daughter for several years so she is a wealth of experience. 

Angela lists 4 reasons to consider a bike bus:

1. Relieves some parents of transportation time and cost

2. It's fun

3. It's safer when there are more people on bikes

4. It's built-in exercise. Your kids arrive at school ready to learn!

And I would add in a 5th one--it is soooo totally cool.

The idea of biking to school is not new. However, the idea of biking to school with a group of people is gaining momentum in several cities, Portland being one.

One parent on the bike bus stated that this is quality interaction time, not just between them and their kids, but with other kids. I would have to agree. This is a great time for my boys and me. Plus they are stuck in a box on a bike so where can the go? Ha! They have to interact with me.

How can you start? With the weather becoming more pleasant this is a good time to make it happen. Start by planning a route. Next, I recommend riding the route on a weekend to verify timing, and maybe modify the route. Finally, for your first several rides, you can bike home from school, as you will not feel rushed to “get somewhere.” If you need advise, look to local programs such as Safe Routes to School or the East Bay Bicycle Coalition, which offers free family cycling workshops all spring.

If families at MLC --a public school that does not pull attendance from the neighborhood-- can make it happen, then a bike bus is possible at every school. Some of the families travel just under 5 miles one way. 

As with anything, what it takes is commitment.

You can check out the MLC Bike Bus Blog for more details. Or watch our totally cool bike commute on Vimeo or You Tube.

Next time you head off to school, hook up with a bike bus have a wheely good time.

Get involved:

East Bay Bicycle Coalition, look under Safety for upcoming classes. Classes are 3.5 hours, for ages 14 and up. Upcoming locations:

Alameda, Saturday April 18

Berkeley, Tuesday April 21

Richmond, Thursday, April 30

Cycles of Change, a youth bicycle program that teaches urban riding.

Walk Oakland Bike Oakland, maps and riding information for Oakland

Bicycle Friendly Berkeley, maps and riding information for Berkeley