All aboard the bike bus: How London students are gearing up for group rides to school

A bike-to-school concept that started in Spain and has since spread all over the world is starting to gain momentum with elementary school students in London, Ont.

They're called bike buses, essentially group rides in which students — sometimes supervised by parents — meet up and ride to school together as if they were riding on a bus. The group approach makes cycle commuting safer and more fun. It also encourages students to get some morning exercise and make their commute more eco-friendly.

Mountsfield Public School in Old South and Orchard Park Public School have decided to get rolling with their own bike bus programs.

Mountsfield launched its bike bus program in April.

"The biking program is important to show that there's alternative ways to get to school versus driving," said Andrew McClenaghan, a member of the home and school association at Mountsfield.

He launched the program for students after doing a test run in the fall.

"Walking, scootering, and riding together as a group helps [students] build confidence and the skills that they need to feel safe as they move to and from school," he said.

Every Wednesday at 8:20 a.m. more than a dozen Mountsfield students and some parent volunteers meet up at a specific location. From there, they travel to school as one unit, which helps make the trip as safe as possible.

The bike bus idea initially launched in Barcelona during the COVID-19 pandemic to promote active lifestyles and greener ways to commute.

The bike trips were a social media hit and educators from around the world decided to follow in Spain's footsteps.

Since Mountsfield launched its bike bus program, London students have spread the idea to other schools, McClenaghan said.

Nearly 30 students are part of Mountsfield's 13-week program.

Many said they look forward to their daily ride.

"I wanted to join because it seemed really fun and when you're biking with more people, it makes me feel more calm and more safe," said Lucy Klepeckas, a Grade 4 student at Mountsfield.

She quickly inspired her friends to roll aboard the bike bus.

"I'm doing the bike bus program because my friend Lucy joined and I like riding my bike," said Isla McClenaghan, a Grade 4 student.

She said the program's appeal can be contagious. 

"Sometimes when we're biking to school, we'll see some more kids waiting … and they'll join in," McClenaghan added.

The bike bus program began in April and will continue to run — rain or shine — until the end of the school year.

Parents interested in signing up their kids for the bike bus need to fill out a Google Form before they join.