About the Horace Mann Bike Bus
We ride to school together. It's joyful, it's slow, and it's safe. Bubbles, helmets, big smiles, and lots of parents along for the ride. When you ride with us, you're part of the pack.
What is a bike bus?
A bike bus is a group of kids and parents who bike to school together on a set route at a set time. Anyone along the route can join — we pick up riders at intersections like a bus.
We go slow, we stay in a group, we follow traffic rules, and we make it fun. There are bubbles. There is a Bluetooth speaker playing Who Let the Dogs Out. Most importantly there are a lot of smiles!
The whole point is joy plus safety, together — turning the school commute into the best part of a kid's day.
Why we do it
- To give kids a confident, repeated experience of riding on real streets with adults around.
- To turn school drop-off into something kids look forward to instead of something they're driven through.
- To show that our streets can belong to families and kids too.
- To build a small piece of community — neighbors who know each other by name.
How we keep it safe
- Our size is our safety. A big, visible group of riders is the single biggest reason cars slow down and give us room.
- A lot of parents. Many adults ride alongside the kids every week.
- A police escort. Often, but not always — when we have our SRO give us an escort. It's not needed, but the kids love it and I have a hunch that the officers might like it more...
- Helmets required for kids. Encouraged for adults.
What the kids are practicing
This is a learning ride. The biggest thing the kids practice each week is the most important skill for riding on the street: staying on the right side of the road, going with traffic instead of into it. It takes repetition to make that automatic — which is the whole point of doing it weekly with a group.
The route
We start at our meeting point and roll toward Horace Mann together, picking up riders along the way. The full route is on the map below.
Meeting day, time, and place
- Day
- Wednesdays
- Time
- 8:30 AM
- Meeting place
- Firestation on Doheney and Charleville
FAQ
What if my kid can't ride very well yet?
That's exactly who this is for. Come ride with us. We go slow. Parents ride alongside their kids.
What if it rains?
We post on Instagram and WhatsApp the morning of if we're cancelling.
Do we need to RSVP?
No. Just show up at any point on the route.
What kind of bike does my kid need?
Anything that rolls and has working brakes. Scooters are welcome too.
Is there a cost?
No. It's free. It's neighbors.
Can I join if my kid doesn't go to Horace Mann?
Yes.
Is there music?
Yes! We play "Who Let the Dogs Out" off a Bluetooth speaker every ride. It's a party.
How can I help?
DM us on Instagram. The more parents on a ride, the safer it is.
Contact
The best way to reach us is on Instagram. DM us or tag us — we read everything.