'Make Way for the Bike Bus': bicycle riders organize into 'buses'
06-07-23, 05:05 PM
#1
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'Make Way for the Bike Bus': bicycle riders organize into 'buses'
Parents organize their kids to bicycle to school in pelotons for safety.
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-start-a-bike-bus/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/n...s-cycling.html (right click on URI, save, read local file)
https://www.montclairbikebus.org/
https://www.wired.com/story/how-to-start-a-bike-bus/
https://www.nytimes.com/2023/06/06/n...s-cycling.html (right click on URI, save, read local file)
https://www.montclairbikebus.org/
06-09-23, 12:27 AM
#2
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Interesting concept, and I see it as a nixed bag depending on the details.
On the bright side, it adds a measure of safety, and may be the closer for b parents on the fence about letting their child ride to school.
However, I wonder if it's another sign of helicopter parenting. These days, too many parents are u n willing to give their children any measure of independence. it may be genuine (though possibly misplaced) worry, or sometimes out of a sort of over pressure, where they sre afraid of being seen (or arrested) as neglectful.
My perspective may be different because, my siblings and I were raised to be independent and able to tske care of ourselves (a key concern since they lived through WWII)
One of the key benefits of riding my bike to school was the freedom from bus schedules. Riding in groups defeats that, and I'd probably rebel, meaning that once the adults were cool, I'd slip off and do my thing.
On the bright side, it adds a measure of safety, and may be the closer for b parents on the fence about letting their child ride to school.
However, I wonder if it's another sign of helicopter parenting. These days, too many parents are u n willing to give their children any measure of independence. it may be genuine (though possibly misplaced) worry, or sometimes out of a sort of over pressure, where they sre afraid of being seen (or arrested) as neglectful.
My perspective may be different because, my siblings and I were raised to be independent and able to tske care of ourselves (a key concern since they lived through WWII)
One of the key benefits of riding my bike to school was the freedom from bus schedules. Riding in groups defeats that, and I'd probably rebel, meaning that once the adults were cool, I'd slip off and do my thing.
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An ounce of diagnosis is worth a pound of cure.
Just because I'm tired of arguing, doesn't mean you're right.
“One accurate measurement is worth a thousand expert opinions” - Adm Grace Murray Hopper - USN
WARNING, I'm from New York. Thin skinned people should maintain safe distance.
06-09-23, 03:54 AM
#3
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If kids are indeed going to be cycling across a town, far better to be in a "peloton" grouping with the chaperones, IMO. Bigger block of people, far easier to see, and (in the risky area of a roadway) about as safe as you're going to get. Lots of flags, lights, bright DayGlo gear, and plenty of visually-obvious "chaperone" cyclists surrounding the group.
Can't see this working with very young children that have little attention span and less appreciation for physics, but with kids above, say, 9yrs of age, it ought to work just fine. A bit of group practice at the school's playground and parking lot, a bit of practice on a little-used country road or two ... and they ought to be capable of cycling along safely enough in such a group on a normal roadway. Assuming the routes are well-chosen.
Hard to see how it'd work on many busier urban streets, at least the ill-designed ones in the USA that are all too frequently designed without any safety for non-cars in mind. But, elsewhere it could work well enough.
Can't see this working with very young children that have little attention span and less appreciation for physics, but with kids above, say, 9yrs of age, it ought to work just fine. A bit of group practice at the school's playground and parking lot, a bit of practice on a little-used country road or two ... and they ought to be capable of cycling along safely enough in such a group on a normal roadway. Assuming the routes are well-chosen.
Hard to see how it'd work on many busier urban streets, at least the ill-designed ones in the USA that are all too frequently designed without any safety for non-cars in mind. But, elsewhere it could work well enough.
Last edited by Clyde1820; 06-12-23 at 12:22 AM. Reason: spelling
06-18-23, 06:33 AM
#4
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seems like an interesting idea. I wonder if her kid zipped in the tent feels different from the kids who riding in the rain on their bike?
