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For the past month schools in the Lower Mainland have been getting ready for Bike to School Week. Students in Surrey, New West, North Vancouver, Burnaby and Coquitlam have taken part in cycling education, all with the goal of keeping their students safe while encouraging active, fun modes of transportation. And the success stories are starting to pour in!
This is Jen with her son Lucas, enjoying the bike festivities at Hastings Elementary. Instructors were at the school for the afternoon holding a bike rodeo filled with fun games and skills training courses.
Yesterday, at L'Ecole Bilingue Elementary in Vancouver, 125 students were counted riding to school - and that doesn't even include the many parents, siblings, and teachers that rode alongside them. The kids were welcomed at school by an amazing team of volunteer parents with a full breakfast including eggs, breads, granola bars, fruit, and even smoothies made by a pedal-powered blender provided by Our Community Bikes!
One of the many students biking to school this week was Caleob. He was been biking with his dad since he was 4! We talked to his father to get some tips on how to get over the fear factor of having your child set out on two wheels.
Why do you bike?
It started for me as an assertion of my independence to transport myself and not have to rely on my parent's schedule or the bus, and evolved into a thrill and love of motion by cycling in general. It wasn't ever for environmental reasons during the 80's, it was for the love of being on a bike. That awesome feeling.
Where do you bike?
We bike everywhere. City commuting, touring, in the mountains.
Was it difficult learning how to bike with your child?
It wasn't hard at all to adapt to a child seat, then a child trailer, then riding with him. He has been on a bike and on the road for a long time now, and although it was a bit nerve racking at the beginning when he was on his own, he's a confident rider now, and extremely aware of his environment. His habits are somewhat better than most commuters I observe. Much safer, much more considerate.
What sort of advice would you give someone considering biking with their children?
The baby seat and the trailers are easy to adapt to. Just be aware that you are moving slower and so your traffic windows need to be larger. Assert yourself in the space you need on the road. Be in the lane if it's too narrow for you and a car. Talk to your child, engage them on the ride, and let them know that you are enjoying yourself!
Be a good biker by example. If you don't know what that looks like, take a safety and awareness class offered around Vancouver [courses by HUB are happening now!]. I taught my son by having him ride in front of me. I can't see him if he's behind me, I don't know if he's weaving or carrying on in a dangerous manner. I watch him shoulder check, signal, I see way ahead to let him know if there's a potential problem intersection, or door, etc. I talk with him about road rules as things happen.
"Did you see that car? They turned without a signal."
"Oh that person is parking and they might not of seen us, be aware of their door."
"Stop here, that truck is too wide for us to pass through this narrow street together."
And for the love of your child, HAVE FUN! It's so important to be carefree and playful.
Caleob also answered a few questions for us.
What is it that you like about biking?
When it's nice and warm out, you get to see the sunshine, when you're going down a hill, you get a nice, cool breeze on your face. Its fun, gives you a good workout. Because I'm doing it with my dad
What type of bike do you have?
A homemade commuter and a mountain bike.
What are you favorite bike routes?
Favorite place to ride is on the seawall. Heather St because there's tonnes of trees.
For more information about Bike to School Week visit BikeHUB.
