BENTONVILLE — Motorists might notice an unusual number of children riding their bikes to school this week.
R.E. Baker Elementary School and Old High Middle School, neighboring schools located near downtown, are launching a “bike train” program Monday. Bike Bentonville, an organization that promotes bike use and fitness initiatives, is helping coordinate the initiative.
A bike train involves students biking to and from school under adult supervision. It travels along a predetermined route, picking up riders along the way. Participating students also may choose to skateboard, scooter or Rollerblade as part of the bike train.
Five routes have been identified, each with at least one parent leader. This week each route will run at least two days, with one route running every day. After this week each route will run only once per week.
The bike train has several purposes, including promoting physical activity, reducing traffic and providing fun, alternative ways to get to school safely, according to a program description provided by the Bentonville School District.
The concept developed from an unofficial bike train started in the fall by two families in the Hidden Springs neighborhood just north of Tiger Boulevard.
Brandie Perry, one of the parents involved, said they rode their bikes with their children to school every Thursday starting in September until the end of daylight saving time.
“What we found was the kids were starting to ask us on other days besides Thursday, ‘Are we riding bikes to school?’” Perry said. “They just loved it. It was great camaraderie for the kids.”
Kyla Templeton, Safe Routes to School coordinator for Bike Bentonville, said discussion of how to implement an official bike train program for the schools started in January.
Templeton said Bike Bentonville polled parents on reasons they prefer not to let their children bike to school. Concerns about traffic topped the list.
“We’re hoping to relieve some of those concerns by having parents ride with them,” she said.
One adult will ride near the front of each train while another will stay toward the back. The longest route, which starts in Bella Vista, will be about 5 miles each way. Bike train participants will travel mostly on sidewalks, Templeton said.
Exactly how many students will participate is unclear.
“We’ll find out (this week),” Templeton said. “Probably between 20 and 50.”
Signs have been posted indicating bike train routes. Officials want the community to be aware there will be more children on bikes each morning and afternoon.
At A Glance
Bike Train Guidelines
• All riders must have experience and ability to ride the route, including potential hills.
• All riders are responsible for their own personal belongings and for the security of those belongings. They should bring a bike lock.
• All riders must wear a helmet.
• All riders should have a bike in good working condition, including air in the tires.
Source: Bike Bentonville
“Biking’s new for our community,” Perry said. “It’s not just the bikers, it’s the drivers who need to be aware.”
Amanda Kelly, principal at Baker, said student safety is the primary concern.
“Exercise and health are secondary to their safety,” Kelly said.
The Baker and Old High bike train is not the first in Bentonville. Bright Field Middle School established one in February, an effort led by physical education teachers Taylor Surly and Christy Ralph. The Bright Field bike train includes two routes, one that runs Mondays and one that runs Wednesdays.
“We just mapped out a couple of different routes that would encompass the most kids,” Surly said.
Ten students participate on an average day, he said. The farthest any child rides is close to 4 miles. They usually arrive at school between 7:25 and 7:30 a.m., about 10 minutes ahead of class start times.
Surly said he got the idea from Jim Brown, a teacher at Mathias Elementary in Rogers, who started a similar program in an effort to reduce the number of students taking the bus.
Students wanting to participate in the Baker-Old High bike train must get a parent or guardian to fill out a consent form that can be obtained from the schools or by sending an email to [email protected].