News provided by SPAS
On Tuesday, November 8th, local community organization South Pas Active Streets will host another “bike bus” set of rides to school to Arroyo Vista and Marengo elementary schools. These adult-led, safety-in-numbers bike rides provide an active way for children to get to and from school, especially for those who many want to ride a bike to school but do not feel safe enough to do it on their own.
The first bike bus event, October 5th‘s “South Pas Walk and Roll” was planned to coincide with the City of South Pasadena’s Walk/Bike to School Day. Over 40 children and 25 adults participated in one of three different bike bus routes to school. With a core group of riders starting the ride at one end, participants would join the bike bus along its route as it wound its way toward school. Besides parents, volunteers on these rides included members of DUDES South Pasadena and Mayor Michael Cacciotti.
South Pas Active Streets received overwhelmingly positive feedback to this event, with parents and children asking for additional future rides and the PTA and school administration in support. Due to the response, a fourth route has been added heading to Arroyo Vista from the North.
“It’s a simple, quick and fun way to get kids active, not to mention providing another path for parents to drop off their kids to school,” says Mike Siegel, one of the organizers of the event. “Why drag your kid in the car and wait in traffic when you could simply have them join the bike bus and get some energy out?”
Starting this Tuesday, the Bike Bus will roll every 2nd Tuesday of the month during the school year, rain or shine. As interest grows, South Pas Active hopes to add more routes to accommodate all schools and sections of the city.
Emilia Aldana, Marengo Elementary PTA President, added she is “so grateful to South Pas Active for coordinating this monthly effort that strengthens our Marengo community while reinforcing healthy habits and helping our students start their day on a positive note with exercise”.
For more information on the event, and to register, visit southpasactive.org/home/monthly-bike-bus
