What could be better than joining a group of friends, parents, and family for a morning bike ride? Even better if your destination is Vernon K-8 School (2044 NE Killingsworth St.) Vernon’s weekly bike bus commute to and from school is a way for students to bike together safely to school. Riders are safe in large groups with a typical number of 15 to 25 people. Vernon is one of more than a dozen Portland schools that supports the Bike Bus movement.
“BikeBusPDX promotes biking as a healthy and eco-friendly commuting option for school children. A lifelong habit of biking encourages kids to embrace cycling as a fun and social activity,” says Sam Balto, a P.E. teacher at Alameda Elementary who started the Portland Bike Bus in 2022. A trip to Barcelona, Spain, where he learned about European Bike Busses, inspired him to start the program. Balto also started the nonprofit Bike Bus World to promote and support Bike Buses everywhere. You can read more about him at bikebus.world.
On January 12th, by Balto’s invitation via social media, musical artist Justin Timberlake surprised the Alameda Bike Bus and joined them for the ride. According to The Oregonian, Timberlake rode about half a mile with about 200 students and parents while Timberlake’s entourage boomed hits like “Mirrors” from speakers on their bikes along the route. The pop star posed briefly for photos with children before leaving the school. What a great surprise.
I Interviewed parent and Concordian Oscar Murden about his experience as a Bike Bus participant as he rides with his two sons, Milo, 9 and Maxwell, 7.
“It’s fantastic. It’s a real mood booster. Our family and friends look forward to it. And it’s easier to get the kids out the door and they get to school on time,” says Murden. He says it creates community, and he’s makes new friends. They even get together during the summer for block parties. Satellite groups have popped up and the movement is growing.
There are lots of happy kiddos and sometimes music playing or holiday decorations. There are also bikes that can be borrowed from Balto for up to a month to see if your student is a good fit for the Bike Bus.
The Vernon bike bus commute takes place every Friday and starts at NE Cesar Chavez and NE Going Streets. Show up anywhere along the route, and join up as the Bike Bus comes by. Bring a bike lock and park at the covered area at the SW corner of Vernon K-8. You don’t have to sign up in advance. Just join in and have fun.
After living east, south, north and west, Marsha Sandman is home at last. And she wants to hear your story. Contact her at MarshaJSandman@ gmail.com.