Poster announcing webinar All about the bike bus

All about the “All About the Bike Bus” event

Posted on by Bike Ottawa in #ottbike, Bike Bus, Community, Microblog

On March 11, Bike Ottawa hosted Coach Sam Balto of Bike Bus World and our own Cassie Smith of the Devonshire Bike Bus for an online session.

Sam took us on his own journey as a phys ed teacher who wanted to get more kids in Boston walking to school to a teacher and parent in Portland leading more than a hundred kids to school by bike. Cassie shared her own experiences in Ottawa to encourage more communities to hop aboard the bike bus!

Some key ideas and Q&As from the discussion:

  1. JUST DO IT! Both Sam and Cassie stressed this point – things will never be perfect, this doesn’t have to solve every problem, but get out there and try!
  2. A bike bus can be every day, once a week, once a month, or at least twice a year.
  3. Starting in the spring can help build momentum with weather getting better each week.
  4. This is a great way to counteract the paradox of school drop-off and safety concerns. Walking or biking to school has been dropping in the US and Canada over time despite the benefits.
  5. From a few families to a few bike buses to a worldwide movement – bike buses are an amazing example of grassroots change.
  6. Do you have to provide a ride home? No, most bike buses are only in the morning, but it’s up to you!
  7. Believe in yourself and get a big speaker!
  8. Research and policymaking are starting to take bike buses seriously
  9. Bike buses can be intergenerational and community building activities: invite retirees to join the fun!
  10. Bike Ottawa wants to help! We talked about helping with route planning, promotion/communication, and advocacy goals (perhaps in collaboration with some friends from other Ontario communities on the call).

Your call to action:

If you are interested in starting a bike bus, aim for Earth Day (or Earth Week) on April 22. We will happily post information here and can provide a poster template to put up at your school. 

Image of a bike bus over rolling hills. In the background, kids and adults rolling down the hill. In the foreground, on the left, a group of kids waiting for the bike bus to arrive to join.
Bike bus in Portland, Oregon. Picture courtesy of Coach Sam Balto

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