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Mixing fitness and fun into the ride to school, kids and parents in this group pedal as a 'bike bus'

  //health-fitness.news-articles.net/content/2025/ .. d-parents-in-this-group-pedal-as-a-bike-bus.html
  Published in Health and Fitness on Wednesday, November 5th 2025 at 6:08 GMT by Associated Press
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Bike Bus Brings Health, Community, and a Ride to School to Families Across the City

A new transportation initiative is turning the daily school run into a fun, fitness‑focused adventure for children and parents alike. The “Bike Bus” program, showcased in a recent video by the Associated Press, invites parents to volunteer and ride bicycles with their kids to school, providing a safe, car‑free commute while giving kids a chance to get active. The AP footage captures a colorful convoy of bicycles, kids perched on child seats or in front‑mounted bike trailers, all traveling in a convoy that mirrors the safety protocols of a bus but with the energy and excitement of a bike ride.

The pilot of the program launched last fall in the Portland, Oregon, area, but the concept has since spread to cities like Seattle, Seattle, and San Diego. According to the AP article, the first group of volunteers met in early October and began riding on weekends, gradually adding weekday runs as traffic patterns were tested and safety protocols were refined. The program’s website—[ BikeBus.org ]—provides a comprehensive guide to volunteer application, safety training, and logistics, and it also offers a map of the various routes and stop locations. The site also includes a FAQ section that explains how the group manages traffic flow, ensures rider safety, and coordinates with local schools and police for route clearance.

In the AP video, a group of six parents—led by school teacher Maria Ortiz—ride the “Bike Bus” on a sunny Thursday morning toward Jefferson Elementary School. Ortiz says the experience has been transformative for her family. “Before, we were stuck in traffic, or we let my kids ride bikes to school alone, which was scary for us as parents. Now, we’re part of a team that’s safe, healthy, and supportive,” she says. “It’s like a mini‑community that shows our kids that school can be a place of excitement, not just a destination.”

One of the key appeals of the program, according to AP’s interview with City Transportation Director Kevin McCarthy, is its health benefits. “When kids start their day riding a bike, they get a burst of aerobic exercise that can improve their concentration and mood for the entire school day,” McCarthy explains. “And parents get the added benefit of getting their own daily dose of physical activity.” The city’s health department has partnered with the Bike Bus program to distribute free bike safety kits to participating families. The kits include a helmet, a reflective vest, a bike lock, and a basic first‑aid pouch.

The program also helps reduce traffic congestion. In the AP video, a traffic camera shows a clear difference between the morning rush hour when parents drive to school versus the bike‑bus route, which is a designated bicycle lane on Main Street. The city’s transportation department has set up traffic signals that pause at regular intervals to let the bike convoy pass safely. In addition, a “Bike Bus Stop” sign—identical to a bus stop sign but with a bicycle symbol—has been placed at every stop, and local police provide periodic escort and route clearance.

Volunteer logistics are handled by the city’s volunteer coordinator, Sarah Jenkins, who manages the scheduling, safety briefings, and route selection. The AP article notes that volunteers must complete a 30‑minute safety training, which covers bike maintenance, proper use of child seats, and traffic laws. Participants can sign up for a weekly or bi‑weekly shift, and the program’s schedule is flexible to accommodate working parents. For families who cannot volunteer, the Bike Bus program offers “Ride‑Along” days, where parents can pay a small fee for a guided ride on the bike bus route. The program is also open to students of all ages, including preschoolers and high school seniors, as long as they meet safety requirements.

In addition to the health and safety benefits, the Bike Bus program fosters a sense of community among participating families. The AP article features a photo of a group of parents and children holding a “Thank You” banner after their first run. Ortiz says, “We’re not just parents; we’re teammates. We support each other in everything—from carpooling to homework help. It’s a great way to bond.”

The success of the program has prompted city officials to consider expanding the bike‑bus network. “We’ve seen a huge positive response from parents and students. We’re exploring ways to add more routes, especially to schools that currently lack safe biking options,” Director McCarthy says. The city is also looking into grants to fund additional bike buses and training sessions for volunteers.

The AP video concludes with a montage of kids laughing as they pedal along the route, the sun setting behind them, and a voiceover that reads, “From fitness to fun, the Bike Bus turns the daily commute into an adventure.” The message is clear: The Bike Bus is more than a ride to school; it’s a community movement that combines exercise, safety, and connection, proving that getting to school can be as exciting as the school day itself.