My life as the "Bike Pool" mom...

[Running Mommy]

So I just had to share this little nugget from my life that I think some of you may enjoy. It seems like I have become the official neighborhood bike pool mom. No car pools here, we bike to school.
Ever since my son lost my trust last year I have been riding with him to and from school. We only live 3/4 of a mile from the school, so no reason at all for ANYONE (IMO of course) to pull the car out, yet plenty of parents do. It's amazing the number of SUV and minivan moms I see pull out the car for such a short trip! But I digress.

Since school has started more and more moms have been asking me if I would mind taking their kids as well. Of course I don't. But I do have one rule. Well- a couple actually. Of course HELMETS, and they must follow bike etiquette- I give them lessons and pointers along the way. And also there is no show boating or racing ahead. We all ride together.
So every morning about 6 kids show up at my door for the trek to school. I make sure that back pack strings aren't hanging down, long shoe laces are tucked in, and that tires are pumped. (yeah I learned that one the hard way. Some parents have no clue. And i HATE making everyone walk because one kid has a flat.) Anyway, I grab Jules and off we go with me trailing behind to make sure I don't lose anyone. The oldest ones lead and do traffic control at the street corners. The kids love it because we take the dirt trail. It's behind a row of houses, so without an adult they aren't allowed to ride it alone. It also bypass' the scooter and foot traffic. I get them to the cross walk and let the guard take over. After school I'm waiting for them under the shade of a mequite tree on the same corner. I count heads to make sure all are accounted for, ask how everyones day went, and again check shoe laces and back pack strings. Then off we go, crunching along down the crushed granite trail chatting away.
The kids seem to love it, and I don't mind taking them at all. Heck anytime I can get a kid on a bike I will. The parents feel safe knowing that someone is watching over their kids, it's all good.
So anyway, that is the good in my life right now.
Lately I've had a lot of bad, so it's something I look forward to everyday. Seeing kids enjoying their bikes lights up my day.

[LadyInMotion]

Great story and idea; thank you for sharing.

I bet when you are not around, the kids all agree that your son has the coolest mom.

[Trek420]

Thanks for being the "bike bus driver" like this group :D

http://www.bikebus.org.au

[Deanna]

That is so awesome! We currently have a few "walking school buses" in the area here but no bike buses. You'd be proud to know also that you're alma mater (Analy) has instituted policies that discourage people from driving their kids to school and encourage biking and walking!

[mimitabby]

So I just had to share this little nugget from my life that I think some of you may enjoy. It seems like I have become the official neighborhood bike pool mom.

Since school has started more and more moms have been asking me if I would mind taking their kids as well. Of course I don't. But I do have one rule. Well- a couple actually. Of course HELMETS, and they must follow bike etiquette- I give them lessons and pointers along the way. And also there is no show boating or racing ahead. We all ride together.

what a great story (School has started???!) I am so glad you are doing that!

I live behind an elementary school and there is an amazing number of parents and cars that show up every morning and afternoon. I'll tell you right now, there's no bikes... :(

[Running Mommy]

Yep Mimi- school starts early here. Why kids in AZ need to start when it's still 106 outside is beyond me?? But at least we get a week off in Oct and two weeks in the spring. They call it a modified year..

Oh, and Deanna. That doesn't surprise me a bit about Analy. You know Sebastopol has grown in a lot of ways since I grew up there. I was a kid of the 80's, and still remember when the train chugged down the center of main street every afternoon- BEFORE it became a one way street.. sigh.. the good ol days. Oh- and Gravenstein apples are still my favorites! Esp. when they are a bit green and tart. YUMMERS!

That was cool trek... I kept thing of l'auto bus ala tour de france.. heh heh... and yeah, I do feel kinda like a bus driver. : )

[Lifesgreat]

What a cute idea! It reminded me of this:

http://www.walkingbus.com/

http://www.walkingschoolbus.org/

[Kimmyt]

Oh man, way cool!

[Ladyrunner]

You're a totally cool mom!! That's wonderful you do that!

[slmdunc]

That's just TOO cool! I will have to remember that for one day when I have youngin's in school.

You're doing a good thing!

[maryellen]

sounds wonderful. what a great example for your son and the other kids. wow, to have the mom who is the "bike pool mom" -- how cool is that?

[onimity]

That is *so* fantastic. Your son has one cool mom.

Young people need to understand that there are more options for getting around than by car, and many are more fun. But they learn by example...

I'm glad those kids have your example and help to learn the rules of the road, that bikes are fun and transportation too.

Anne

[singletrackmind]

Wow! Cool is right. :) Wonderful rules as well. :)

We're only about a mile from school but have to cross a 6 lane highway to get to it, you are so fortunate, we sooo want to do that too.

[Trek420]

That is so awesome! We currently have a few "walking school buses" in the area here but no bike buses. You'd be proud to know also that you're alma mater (Analy) has instituted policies that discourage people from driving their kids to school and encourage biking and walking!

I think that's DoW alma mater, but no matter which it's cool.

[Geonz]

you like totally rock :) :)
These kids are getting imprinted... you're changing the foolish planet :)

[KnottedYet]

You are such a cool mom! Wow!

[Running Mommy]

Thanks girls. WOW. I'm blushing... :)

So this afternoon I was caught off guard when I went to hop on Jules for my afternoon "bus" duties and she had a flat front tire. I only had 10 minutes to get to the school, so no tire changing wiggle room.
I was forced to jump on the tri rig, which mean't no dirt trail for the kids.
So when they met me I had them all huddle around and explained my tire issue. I told them that we had to take the sidewalk route. I would ride alongside in the bike lane, but they had to stay on the sidewalk, be mindful of walkers and scooters, and be sure to call out "on your left" when they were going to pass. Oh- and since we pass about 4 side streets, to at least pause and make sure no one was coming out of, or turning into the streets.
I'm proud to say that they all did as told, and I even had one parent comment about how courteous they were!!
I also invited them over after homework so they could help me change the tire. All but two came over and we had a tire changing party. It was fun!!

[KnottedYet]

You are WAAAAAAY cool! Dang, girl, you are AWESOME!!!!

[Running Mommy]

Ohh knotted.. now you dun made me cry..
You see all this lovin from you girls is something that I desperately needed.
I alluded in my original post that I have had a lot of "bad" in my life lately.. and well, please allow me to elaborate.
First as many know I have a rogue ovary that is enlarged. I have been through MANY tests to figure it out. But there are no lesions or tumors on it, and the biopsy comes up inconclusive... So it's been put on a 'lets just watch it" status. Which is less than comforting.
And then my doctor noticed what felt like a swollen lymph node under my right arm pit area.
I had never had a mamo (I'm 38, no family history) so she sent me in for one. The tech noticed two things right away and warned me that I'd prolly get a call back. She said they looked like lymph nodes to her, but to expect the call. Gotta love digital technology. She had my boobles on the screen and was able to show me what she was looking at. She could even zoom in.

Sure enough... the call came. So now I'm scheduled for a sonogram of the boobles, and we will go from there... sigh... I know it's prolly nothing. And I'm trying not to let it get to me, but lately I have been on edge, ready to crack. It's like everytime I turn around the big "C" word is looming over my head (cancer).. I'm a cervical cancer survivor, so I know all too well what comes with that diagnosis. :(

That is why being with the kids lights up my day. They are so excited about life, and don't have a worry in the world. They really keep me going. And now you guys being so kind, well yeah... it makes me cry...
Thank you, I really needed it!

[eclectic]

First of all Running mommy I LOVE the fact that you are riding w/ the kids to school - you are setting an incredible example and teaching them lifetime habits. After the joy of the drivers license wears off they will be much more likely to reach for a bike.

Secondly a BIG HUG and prayers sent up for what you are going through. Waiting is so nerve wracking.

As I am sure you are aware I am leaving this week for Mayo clinic w/ dbf because of the big C word.

Prayers, Prayers, Prayers for you that everything is just fine.

[KnottedYet]

As you and I know, cancer can be survived.

And always, *always* there are kiddos in our lives to put everything into proportion.

(Whether they are ours or someone else's, they are always there.)

The small things in life ARE the important things in life!

You are a stud-muffin, I've admired you since I joined TE, this too shall pass. One way or another it will all work out. I truly believe that.

(((((((hugs)))))))))

[crazycanuck]

RM! ((((Hugs))) I was wondering what happened to you & was about to post a " where's RM" message...

You're a coolio mom & thank you for taking the time out to do it.

I'll have LB send some butterflies your way.

The nasty C won't have a chance with our Iron Mom

C:)

[madscot13]

Dear Running Mommy,
You must be super cool to get kids to follow you on your bike and parents to trust you. I am truly sorry for the mere possibility of the big C. Isn't it interesting that parents with their years of living and experience think it is children (teens) who need perspective when we adults can learn just as much from them?

the best I can say is, cheers,
mads

[spokewench]

Running Mommy: You're great! I can't think of a better way to help kids think in a more global way and it's fun too!

[bouncybouncy]

You are too cool!!!! I remember (grew up on a military base) riding EVERYWHERE!!!! and think it is such a shame that kids these days don't! I wish I saw something like this in our neighborhood!!!

[slmdunc]

Holy cow, RM! Your approach to life and your gift to those kids really shows the kind of person you are. Keep it up and know that you've got a lot of people backing you. Thank
you for sharing. :)

[lph]

This is one of the coolest stories I have ever read on TE!

[indigoiis]

Wow. I want a bike pool mom.

[nomummytummy]

And I bet you are way fitter than a "soccer mom".

[bmccasland]

I want a bike pool mom too!!

RM - when is your sonogram? We'll send you good juju. I'm in the high risk group, and have an "area of attention" fortunately this last annual boobie squishy the radiologist didn't ask for extra views or a sonogram. Yeah!! Totally freaked me out the first time they were ordered. At least this go round, they now have 5 years of old films to compare - thanks to the valient efforts of my doctor's office - they sent in one of their staffers to retrieve the old films from the now closed (Katrina) hospital where all the work was done. But I digress. :rolleyes: YOU'RE the one that needs good juju and butterflies. Let us know the date, and I hope all goes well for you! :)