Opinion: Bike Buses Go Viral. Why Not Here?

Local and Green

A version of the following column appeared previously in the Amherst Bulletin.

It may seem odd NOT to address the expected reversal of progress on climate that the 2024 election is expected to produce and what that will mean at home and abroad, but pardon me while I take a breath. My latest thought, is to simply keep moving in a positive direction, doing whatever we can to green our culture. People power as individuals and as groups can help a lot. 

Forming a “bike bus” is one such action that could not be more positive. What more joyful way to start a school day than to caravan with friends and family on bikes!  The phenomenon of bike buses started only four years ago in Spain when two teachers started biking to school with 9 students. Since then, the movement has grown rapidly and 40 bus lines have been launched in and around Barcelona and the practice has expanded globally.

In the US, Portland became the first municipality to form a bike bus. Every Wednesday, more than 100 students and parents ride en masse to school. And Massachusetts now has many communities forming bike buses. Those include three bike buses in Somerville and three in Cambridge, as well as bike buses in the Boston neighborhoods of Jamaica Plain, Roslindale and West Roxbury, and in Lexington, Melrose, Salem, and Needham. 

Sam Balto, organizer of the Portland bike bus stated, “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 adds, “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.”

The trend has moved so quickly that it has led to global annual summit meetings, starting in 2023. At the second annual summit in Frankfurt Germany, nine bike buses from different countries presented their programs. The summits are an indication that Bike Buses are here to stay. According to CityLab Barcelona, “The press and social media love Bike Buses; their posts often reach millions of views, and national and local TV reports are common. While some might have thought this was just a temporary trend, the initial Bike Buses remain strong, and new Bike Buses are emerging all over.”

Amherst would be a perfect place for bike bus routes. How about from the Hadley Road apartment complexes through Hickory Ridge to Crocker Farm? And how about to Wildwood and Fort River Schools pending the completion of the new Elementary School? For those interested in starting a bike bus program, watch this great video put together by the Portland Bike Bus group, Starting Your Own Bike Bus.

It recommends key steps to kickstart your own bike bus.

1. Assemble a group of interested families: Remember, the initiative doesn’t have to start big. 

2. Plan your route: Carefully consider the routes from various neighborhoods to the school, ensuring that they are safe for the children. 

3. Establish a schedule: The frequency could be increased as more families join the initiative.

4. Safety First: Biking safety sessions can be organized to teach children about 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. Engage local authorities: Gaining the support of local government or school authorities can go a long way in making your bike bus initiative successful. 

6. Create a positive and inclusive culture:  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.

There is more and more information on the web available to help those interested in starting a bike bus. Do your research, get organized and get biking!

Read More: Photos of the Week: Amherst Celebrates International Walk, Bike, and Roll to School Day (Amherst Indy)

Darcy DuMont is a former town councilor and sponsor of the legislation creating the Amherst Energy and Climate Action Committee. She is a founding member of Zero Waste Amherst, Local Energy Advocates of Western MA, and the Amherst Climate Justice Alliance and a non-voting member of Valley Green Energy Working Group. She can be contacted at dumint140@gmail.com.