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

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