EAST AURORA, N.Y. — Everyone knows about the most popular way students get to school each morning, the bus.
Three East Aurora dads saw a video one day of a 'Bike Bus', organized by a gym teacher out west. The idea behind it was that students meet up at a central location with their bikes, and ride to school together.
They decided that it was something that could work in East Aurora, so last spring, East Aurora's very own 'Bike Bus' began.
Mike Robinson is one of the co-founders, said, "There was a gym coach out there that started this whole thing, and we heard about it and thought what a great opportunity for this community, because we live in this beautiful village, to start something similar,".
Since the beginning, the bike bus has grown by the dozens, now they usually have anywhere between 40 to 60 kids on each ride.
The group rides every Thursday while the weather is nice.
Robinson said, "as a parent, taking them out and letting them ride themselves to school shows them that they can be independent, shows them that they can be safe and get themselves to school,".
The group started with just 6 kids, sisters Linnaea and Clara Noon were 2 of the original members.
Noon said, "It's really funny because some people just sit on their porch and wave at us when we're biking by, and it's really nice,".
Safety is a top priority with the bike bus.
The kids are accompanied by plenty of adult chaperones and community members who lead the group, block traffic, and help with any bike malfunctions that happen along the way. They also give a safety talk before every ride.
Robinson said, "we give them a talk before we leave about keeping lots of space between them, looking ahead, looking between them. Staying on the right side of the road so everyone get's there safe and having fun,".
Along the route, neighbors greet the kids, standing on their porches and waving, or honking their car horns.
That is fourth grader Carley Chafin's favorite part. Chafin said, "It's really funny because some people just sit on their porch and wave at us when we're biking by, and it's really nice,".
The bike bus also periodically stops for a dance party so that slower riders can catch up.
Kindergartner Max Bruggeman is new to the bike bus this year, but has come to almost every ride.
Bruggeman said, "I think riding my bike to school is really fun, with all the friends and all the people that I can make new friends with,". He also said that it makes his day at school better when he joins the bike bus.
Community businesses have also sponsored bike bus rides.
The blue Eyed Baker and Mayer Bros Cider Mill have each provided treats for the riders when they arrive at school before they head off to class.
Check out the group's Facebook page by clicking here.
2 On Your Side's Natalie Faas became an honorary Bike Bus rider, see below.
