One uM & her Bike To Work Day 2007

Last night, before I put the girls to bed, I asked Philly if she wanted to join me for today's Bike to Work 2007 festivities.  Excitedly, she said, "yes, yes!" and she went straight to sleep as soon as her head hit the pillow.  Early to bed, early to rise ...

At 7AM this morning, we pedaled away from our N. Portland home, in hopes to catch up with the bikepool going from Arbor Lodge into downtown Portland for the breakfast celebration at Pio Square.  We met up with the group, around 10 or so folks from our Overlook neighborhood and more points north.  What I loved most about our ride was pedaling alongside an 11-year old fifth grader from MLC, who was a confident and savvy bike commuter at such a young age.  I was impressed, and my daughter was excited to ride in her tag-along next to a young bike commuter.

At the celebration on square, we enjoyed smoothies a la bike, morning nosh, and seeing bikey pals from yesteryear.  Philly even saw a couple schoolmates.  As we cruised to her school from the Square, she reflected on our family's recent stretch of car-free days.  She said, "I'm proud of daddy for not wasting gas for three whole days."

When it comes to reducing our reliance on the car, I feel that it starts with us.  We want to try to be role models for our girls and show them how alternative forms of tranpsortation are viable, easy, and fun.  This morning's experience has gotten me jazzed to do a couple of things:

1. Plan a big Bike, Bus, & Walk Day for our School.  I know that fall-time bring the annual Walk & Bike to School day as a part of the Safe Routes program, and maybe that's a place to start.  I'm not sure if charter schools have traditionally participated in the program.  Regardless, I think a Bike, Bus & Walk Day for the school would bring an already-close community even closer together.
2. Explore biking options for kids who are too big for the trailer and too small for solo biking.  What to do if one parent needs to transport two early elementary children?  A double-trail-a-bike?  I've been talking with folks at Transportation Options at PDOT to see about doing a brown-bag, a workshop, or a clinic on parents & kids on bikes.  Interested?

* photo credit: goes to Jon Maus of BikePortland.org

Comments

[Sunny]

Isabelle and her dad rode in on the Extracycle and enjoyed the breakfast and smoothie also! What a fabulous idea.