A friend's kid needed emergency roadside bike repair this morning on their ride to school, and I happily obliged.
I'm glad my friend's kid has the freedeom to #BikeToSchool independently, and am glad to be a part of a community that is working to make this possible for more kids.
'“We need to ensure that every child can walk or cycle to school safely”: All political parties – except the Conservatives – agree “children’s safety should be prioritised over the convenience of motorists” on “red-rated” road network, families say'
On the topic of completing 100 mile challenges today - this wee guy just finished two full weeks of biking 10 miles a day, to and from school, every day, in some atrocious weather.
Some days the weather was so bad we encouraged him to take a rain check, but each morning he was like "nope, I'm getting my 100 miles" ❤️
Makes my heart sing to see these two friends biking home from school together.
Makes my stomach turn to see the crappy infrastructure they've been provided.
We are failing our children when we refuse to provide them safe, dignified streets.
#WinterBike friends -- how do your kids keep their legs warm on the #BikeToSchool?
My 4th grader is riding her own bike now so a blanket is no longer an option.
Also taking recommendations for handlebar mitts for small people.
Every morning, my kid and I #bike to #school, riding side-by-side down a neighborhood connector road with no pedestrian or bicycle facilities. Lots of people in cars drive past us. They give us space and don't yell about not riding single file.
I like to think this is a sign of the beginnings of a culture shift in #ChapelHillNC.
My bike camera is mounted almost 3' off the ground. There is zero reason for a vehicle this size to exist, much less to roam neighborhood streets while kids are out walking & biking to school.
We--my partner, my kid, and I--have 2 days left to decide whether said kid stays enrolled at her neighborhood elementary school or enrolls in a specialized gifted education program that offers services she very much could use in a different school.
There are pros and cons. But the thing I can't get over is that the other school--the only place in the whole district where these services are offered--is in a no walk/no bike zone. As in kids are literally banned from #walking & #biking there.
This is a big freaking deal. We have always biked to school. We paid far more than we could afford for a house that made this possible. We have arranged our work schedules and lifestyles and vehicle ownership choices around the fact that our kid can ride her bike to school. If you follow me on social media, you know that my identity is wrapped up pretty tight in the idea that kids should be able to walk or #BikeToSchool.
This morning's #BikeToSchool started out a little prickly, but it's hard to stay mad when you're riding a #bicycle. And if there's any angst leftover by the time you get to school, you can hug it out at the #bike rack.
This morning we met up with 6 (SIX!) other #KidsOnBikes during our ride to school. Six smiling, happy, slightly flushed faces, all bright eyed and ready to start their day.
The activity, socialization, & independence these kids are getting is no small thing. The change in my kid's resilience & attitude since she's been riding her own bike to school has been remarkable.
When we deny kids #SafeRoutesToSchool, we deny them a huge part of their life.
Three minutes of peace, joy, and me struggling to keep up with my kid on our morning ride to school (because @bikepedantic asked for it).
I love the conversations we have on the #bike in the mornings. It's never this good in a car.
#KidicalMass is a urban protest of parents, educators and children that organises colourful bicycle demonstrations.
#BiciBus (Bike Bus) goal is to provide children with a guided group to cycle to school with a predefined route at a certain time. They usually run once a week.
While physical infrastructures might take time to change, the way communities use them can change much faster.
Leaving our neighborhood this morning enroute to school, we met another biking family. They'd driven past us all year, and decided this week to try biking themselves. And they're doing it and loving it!