NORTH BAY -- Discovery Routes Trails Organization is running a back-to-school-by-bike program. Instructors are teaching kids the rules of the road, how to properly check their bikes before riding, the importance of wearing helmets and how to ride safely on the road.
"Their families want them to have active transportation to get to school safely and have the confidence and skills needed to get on the road with cars," said instructor Connie Hergott.
Discovery Routes heard concerns from parents about finding other ways to get kids to school safely, and not have to take crowded school buses during the COVID-19 pandemic. So a program was put together to give kids another option to get to school.
"The anxieties that parents are having about sending their kids back to school," said Discovery Routes executive director Jennifer McCourt, explaining why it was created. "We recognized that there was a need and demand for alternative transportation."
As part of the program, children and instructors will create a route plan the kids can safely use when biking to and from school. The program also gets the kids on the road with an instructor.
Ditching the school bus
Student Caydence Einderson will be going into Grade 6 in September. She will bike to school, instead of taking a school bus.
"I'm going to be biking in the morning and afternoon as much as I can," she said. "But, probably in the winter I'll be taking the bus."
Her mom, Laura Farris, said it's the best for her daughter.
"I figure let's keep her active and as far away from the buses as possible for as long as possible," said Farris.
The program will take place in various neighbourhoods in the city, as instructors show eager young cyclists what to watch for when they're on the road.
"All of the research shows that activity before school really gets kids in the right mind frame before school," said Hergott.
For more information about the bike program, click here.
