It’s interesting to see how other cities go about growing their trail systems, and why. For many, one car and an e-cargo bike can do the job of two cars, saving a lot of money, fossil fuels, and maintenance costs. Here is an interview with just such a trail user from Bike Edmonton and City News (in case you thought that Canadian winter would be a deal breaker). Instead of having 2 vehicles, this family went to one and sold the second to buy an e-cargo bike. They use it year around for smaller trips like some grocery runs and every day commutes. Car insurance, gas and maintenance savings add up to 4000-5000 (Canadian) dollars each year. In the winter he sticks to bike lanes. His family sees the benefits of expanding the city’s bike lanes because it would pave the way for more families to reap the benefits. “Probably the best thing the gov’t can do to help affordability is to give people transportation options that reduce their need to own multiple vehicles. We’ve got young kids. We want them to be able to walk to school, bike to school, bike to go see places, we don’t want to play mom and dad taxi all the time”.
And then there are the health benefits. According to Momentum Magazine, “studies demonstrate that a 30-minute walk or bike ride to school greatly increases a child’s ability to focus in the classroom.” To top that, the USDA recommends 60 minutes of physical activity for children each day. With the staggering numbers reported pertaining to childhood obesity and the reduction in activity in youth, biking proves to be a potentially successful way for children to not only hit their levels of active minutes each day and maintain a healthy weight but also to be more focused in school. For more information check out the following websites:
https://www.saferoutesinfo.org/
https://www.pedbikeinfo.org/bicyclesaferjourney/
https://www.walkbiketoschool.org/plan/how-to-plan/safety-first/
When is a child ready to bike to school? https://www.childrens.com/health-wellness/riding-a-bike-to-school tells you how to know:
Your child’s readiness depends on their age, experience on a bike and how much they know about bike safety. It also depends on how long and how safe their route to school is.
The American Academy of Pediatrics notes that many children will have the skills needed to bike safely at around age 10. These skills include the ability to follow rules, show good judgment and not be easily distracted. But every kid is different and you know your kid best.
7 safety tips for biking to school
- Practice general bike safety with them
Before you send them to school on their own on a bike, take time to practice how to:
Use hand signals
Stop at intersections
Know what traffic signs mean and be familiar with traffic laws
Bike in a straight line
Look over their shoulder when they turn, change lanes or merge with traffic
Learn more about teaching your child bike safety.
Tip: Teach your child about traffic signs and laws when you’re driving in the car. Point out whether bikers are using good bike safety practices or not. - Wear bike safety gear
Helmets are the most important piece of safety equipment when riding a bike. Helmets reduce bike-related head injuries by up to 85%.
You can also make your child more visible to drivers by having them:
Wear bright clothing or reflective clothing
Use reflective accessories like vests and ankle bands
Use bike lights and reflectors
Wear a bright-colored backpack
Wear a backpack with reflectors or built-in LED lights - Make sure the bike is well-maintained
Bikes are safest when they are thoroughly maintained at least every six months. Before your child bikes to school, inspect the tires, brakes and chain. Make sure the bike tires are clean and have enough air. - Plan the safest route to school
Use Google Maps to help identify bike-friendly routes
Look for designated bike lanes or bike paths
Look for routes that avoid busy streets or dangerous intersections
Choose roads with minimal traffic
After you plan your route, practice it a couple times until your child feels comfortable. If possible, practice with your child in the lead. You may also want to practice locking up their bike at school.
Tip: Wake up a bit earlier when your child plans to bike. Give them enough time to hydrate, eat a good breakfast and do their morning routine. When your child is well-nourished and doesn’t feel rushed, it sets a good tone for the day. And it can help them focus on the ride to school. - Encourage riding with friends
If your child rides their bike to school with friends, it can be more fun – and safer too. As a group, they can look out for one another and be more visible in traffic. But you’ll need to remind them not to get distracted or too playful as they ride together.
Some families, schools and communities also organize a bike train – a group of students and adults who bike to school together, making stops to pick up others along the way. - Prepare for emergencies
Tell your child to confirm with you the days they’re riding a bike to school. If your child has a cell phone, make sure they carry it in case they get lost. You can also ask them to text you after they arrive at school. And you can program emergency numbers into the phone for your child.
Tip: Make a plan for what your child should do if they get a flat tire, have an accident or need help. - Plan for the weather
Your child should not ride a bike when it’s dark, foggy or hard to see. On those days, you’ll need a back-up plan for getting your child to school. If it is drizzling rain and the visibility is still good, your child may be able to bike to school. Remind them to wear waterproof clothing and not to ride too fast. On days when the sidewalks and streets are quite slick with rain, it may be safer to walk to school. And finally: - https://www.healthychildren.org/English/safety-prevention/on-the-go/Pages/safety-on-the-way-to-school.aspx