Bike Buses: An Evaluation of An Emerging Active Transportation to School Intervention

Bike buses are a relatively new form of active transportation to school (ATS) that have primarily emerged in Europe and the United States. A form of coordinated, group bike riding along a defined route to school, bike buses are an outgrowth of Safe Routes to School interventions in North America that seek to reverse the declining rates of walking and biking to school among children. Our initial phase of research included a literature review of social and environmental factors affecting ATS in the contemporary North American context, and two convenience surveys of bike bus coordinators and parent participants. This initial phase informed the development and implementation of schoolwide surveys of the parents of four elementary schools with bike buses in Portland, OR. We identifed recurring themes in what benefits bike buses introduce for participants, as well as the barriers to growth and wider adoption. We conclude with recommendations for further study of this emerging trend.