Guest post by Mary E. Davies of Petaluma
An active transportation future, with bike lanes and roundabouts, is controversial to some in Petaluma while others are promoting more and better infrastructure. Meanwhile, the kids are doing their best right now to bike safely to school.
Atlas, age 7, has been biking daily for a year and a half. He was initially inspired by a neighbor, two years older. Then in October when Walk and Roll to School day occurred, a calendar went home in the weekly folders that encouraged a solid month of biking or walking. Atlas says, “It reminded me to bike every day. That’s when I started a new habit.” He rides with his classmates Ashton, also seven, and Henry, eight. How did you get them to bike with you? I asked Atlas. “He just asked us!” they said.
It’s the fun way to school for these boys. They ride Sixth Street on purpose to get the hill. Mostly they ride the sidewalks.
Riding with a friend is key. Their parents confirm that the easiest way to get them out the door on time is to let them bike. Initially, a parent rode with them. Today, the parents maintain a text chain so they know who is riding and track their progress along the route to school.
What about rain? “We like to bike in the rain.” Special gear? “We like tee-shirts.” Worst biking day? That stumped them. Until they remembered the day the sidewalk was blocked by somebody’s ‘for sale’ appliance and took Ashton down with a dropped chain. He had a bloody knee and was pretty shook up. The boys don’t know — yet — how to fix a chain, so they all walked their bikes to school together.
The kids’ parents say the chance to live in a town with bikeable neighborhood schools drew them to Petaluma. Their mornings are smoother for everyone.
Getting home from school is more problematic, the boys often heading for baseball practice or a kids’ club. In that case, a parent picks up the bike at school so it’s ready to ride next morning. But even as we spoke together, they were strategizing about how to make two-way trips a reality.
Some families won’t let their kids do even the things they themselves enjoyed when they were young. Apart from road safety, are the parents nervous about letting the kids out on their own? Ashton’s dad said, “They know how to fight back.” All the families have talked with their boys about personal safety awareness, and families along the route keep an eye out for them.
Are there changes they’d like to see in Petaluma bike infrastructure? They’ve contacted the city hotline about some possible quick fixes. The corner of Grant and Mountain View has a good crosswalk, but no curb cut. And I Street, between Grant and Sunnyslope, is a narrow road with a sidewalk full of pedestrians and dog walkers. They’d like to see a simple trial, with paint and bollards, to narrow the driving lanes, create bike lanes, and slow car traffic. They’re hoping to hear back from the city.
Have a success story to share? Email us at info@bikesonoma.org!