The term “Bike Bus” or “Cycle Bus” refers to a group of people who cycle together on a particular route - usually on a set day & time - as a form of collective, bicycle commuting. Bike Buses are an excellent way to promote cycling safety & green-mobility awareness in a community-focused, healthy fashion. Bike Bus groups have popped up in Scotland, Ireland, France, The USA, Australia, Denmark, Spain, Canada….and the list goes on. One of the first, The Aire Valley Bike Bus in West Yorkshire, U.K., was formed in 2006, and has been gathering every Wednesday since.
Source: NPR
The truly exciting thing? The fastest growing Bike Bus Movements in Canada and abroad are parents cycling together with their children to school. A recently posted video entitled “Kid Wheel Power” showcases one of the world’s most visible bike buses during “BiciBus Bike Month For Kids”, in Barcelona, May 2022.
In the film, Rosa Suriñach from the United Nations Bike Ride explains that although Barcelona has an evolving cycling infrastructure, there were not enough measures in place for children to ride safely. So, “Bicibús, Barcelona” began. Their motto: If it is safe for children, it is safe for everyone, 4-80 years old.
Every week, Bicibús allows families to ride to school by bike in a protective, train-formation. Dozens of adults & children take over main streets in spaces usually occupied by cars. Bicibús started with just five families, and now, there are 10 independent groups in the city & more than 20 in the surrounding region.
In Eixample, the bicibús travels down Entença Street, where three schools are located; this is a high-density road where 20,000 vehicles (cars, taxis, trucks) travel each day. In a statement to NPR in October, 2021, parent Mireia Boix - who travels each week with her 5 year old son - noted that this area is “loud and busy. And for kids getting to school, it can be dangerous.” Boix confides that with the bicibús, she feels a sense of relief when her son bikes to school on Fridays because she knows he'll be safe.
To discover other inspirational groups, check out #bicyclebus, #bikebus, or #biketoschool on Twitter, like this thread about the “Bike Bus, Dutch”, which also includes a feature article on various bike buses in Toronto, profiled by Dandy Horse Magazine.
How Can You Get Started? Here are some terrific events:
Go By Bike Week Vancouver: May 30 - June 5th, 2022 includes a “Bike To School Week”. In 2021, 126 schools took part with 13,700 students tracking 40,500 bike trips!
There are lots of great Bike To School courses and online tips for school and individuals.
As part of Toronto Bike Month, there is also a Bike To School Week, May 30 - June 5th, 2022.
Source: Mike Layton
Access Cycling with Children Resources, on Equipment, Safe-Cycling Tips, Riding With Your Child, Buying Their Own Bike & Family- Friendly Route Planning, here.
Leading up to Bike Month, Toronto Councillor Mike Layton was in awe of the massive, enthusiastic Bike To School Ride in the core of the city.
Zygg founder & C.E.O. Kevin McLaughlin, who often takes his children to school or on errands & activities via cargo bike, was also thrilled to see more of his neighbours doing the same. #CycleSafe #CycleTogether