For communities that want to encourage bicycling to school, a bicycle train offers a safe, fun way to ride as a group. Because of the equipment involved and the potential need to ride on a road, planning and conducting a bicycle train is more involved than having a walking school bus, such as additional adult supervision and knowledge about how to lead a group of students on bicycle.
How to Start a Bike Train
For more information on how to get a bike train started, and an introduction on how to safely lead a bike train, watch our "How to Start a Bike Train" webinar!
Also, consider sharing this informational "Are you a Parent Who Bikes?" flyer (Eng/Span) in with your school community, to engage parents who bicycle (or are interested in bicycling) in your SRTS program, in potentially leading a bike train, in advocating for safer routes to school, and more!
How to Lead a Bike Train
For additional information and guidance on how to safely lead a bike train:
- Download our Sonoma County Safe Routes to School Bike Train Guidelines
- Watch our Sonoma County Safe Routes to School "Tips on How to Lead a Safe, Successful Bike Train" video
Sample Bike Train Promotional Flyers & Maps
(download and modify with your own content)
- Sample Eng/Span Flyer #1 - single route (Proctor Terrace Elementary School, May 2024 - MS Word) (PDF to view)
- Sample Eng/Span Flyer #2 - two routes (Santa Rosa French American Charter School, May 2024 - MS Word) (PDF to view)
A SRTS Community Partner in the City of Petaluma who supported the formation of Bike Trains in Petaluma for the May 2024 Bike to School Day event, created THIS BIKE TRAIN MAP using Google My Maps, to help spread the word about where Bike Trains were taking place that day, and how parents and students could join. Their efforts had an impact: the City of Petaluma had the highest percentage increase of kids biking to school on Bike to School Day of any jurisdiction in Sonoma County! Maps like this can be created and shared for one or more routes, for one event, or for bike trains that operate more regularly.
Other tools for creating and sharing Bike Train map include RidewithGPS and MapMyRide
Contact us for additional guidance and support in identifying Bike Train routes, how to lead a bike train, creating a flyer, or any other questions you may have!
Biking Buds App
A creative, community-minded Bay Area high school senior, Saahil Sukhija, developed the Biking Buds app to support Bike Train leaders & participants, and any student or adult who rides in groups, in staying connected while riding. Check it out and consider using it to support your own bike train or group ride!
LINK TO DOWNLOAD THE APP
