Commuting to school

[badgercat]

I guess it would help to know what (if any) reasoning they provided for the ban. Safety along routes to/from school? 6th graders terrorizing kindergartners in the parking lot? Just not wanting to pay for bike racks?

[Veronica]

Yeah, I'd find out why first.

It could be that years ago some little kid got hit while riding their bike to school and the parent sued. School districts don't like being sued.

Or the the district's lawyer decided it just wasn't a safe enough route and they wanted to avoid being sued.

I suspect that if there was less litigation in our society, there would be fewer rules.

Veronica

[Cataboo]

I think kids are the school's responsibility until they get in their front door.

At least that was the lecture we got at school... if you got off the bus & got into a fight with a neighbor kid, you could still be suspended for fighting. Even if you weren't at the bus stop & were walking elsewhere. School rules applied till you were in your front door.

I don't think there's many kids walking to school anymore - can kids walk in pendleton?

[Veronica]

I think kids are the school's responsibility until they get in their front door.

That's the way it is in CA.

Veronica

[Aint Doody]

Well, I'm glad y'all suggested I check with the school district. Guess what--they were surprised. They said there was no such policy. Children can ride their bikes. They have to use a lock and have to wear a helmet. I should have checked it all out first. I'm glad that I was misinformed.

[tulip]

Great news! Alot of school districts are actually encouraging bicycling and walking to school. There's a program called the Safe Routes to School that has been successful in quite a few places. It would be a shame for kids to not be able to walk or bike to school.

[Heifzilla]

I'd love for my kids to be able to ride their bikes to school. We live 1.8 miles from the school. But seeing as the only routes available to them are on 45 mph roads, this won't be happening.

The joys of rural-ish living :/ Interestingly enough, if we lived 1.4 miles away, I'd have to drive them to school because the district won't bus anyone who lives less than 1.5 miles away to school. And yet there is no safe way for them to walk or ride their bikes. Gotta love it.

Good to know that your district will let them ride to school, though.