Students and adults are almost at the end of the trail on 5/19/23 as they approach Pleasant Street riding in the Wood School Bike Bus, which travels from Wood School to the Rogers School playground along the bike path. Photo by Beth David
By Beth David, Editor
If you drive on Sconticut Neck Road, David Drown Boulevard, or Pleasant Street near the Rogers School playground around school start time or dismissal time, you’ve probably seen them: a large group of elementary school students and their adults all riding their bicycles together along the bike path.
The Wood School Bike Bus leaves arrives at school just before school starts, and leaves a few minutes after dismissal every Friday. They take their time, said organizer Will Gardner.
“It’s a ride, not a race,” he tells the riders. “We take time to enjoy the ride, look at the birds, the dogs. It’s a nice way for us just to have some fun before school.”
Each week is different, by he has more than 30 students signed up, usually there are around 25 riding.
It started a few years ago, then the pandemic interrupted it. This year, it has been revived.
“It’s just a way to get more people on bikes,” said Mr. Gardner, who rides his bike everywhere he can, including errands and for fun.
In 1960, he said 50% of students roe their bikes to school.
“We’re trying to revive bicycle culture,” he said. “It’s just a pleasant this to do.”
Students take a free Dorothy Cox chocolate pop from parent Will Gardner after they reach the end of their route with the Wood School Bike Bus on 5/19/23, which travels from Wood School to the Rogers School playground along the bike path. Photo by Beth David
He said Fairhaven is lucky because it is very walkable and rideable.
“It’s amazing how many short trips and errands you can do on a bike,” said Mr. Gardner. “It’s just more fun that way.”
His daughter Lena agrees. She said she likes the bike bus because she gets to ride with different people.
“It’s fun,” she said. “I get to see more friends from school.”
Her recommendation to others?
“They should try it.”
They rode all winter, they said , even riding in the snow one time.
“It was just the two of us,” said Mr. Gardner, admitting their masks froze.
On Friday, 5/19, a group of about a dozen made their way along the bike path after school. After they stopped by the old Atlas Tack building, across from the Rogers School playground, Mr. Gardner had chocolate pops from Dorothy Cox Chocolates to hand out to the riders. The pops, of course, had a bicycle on them.
Anyone interested in joining the Bike Bus should check in with the school.
Students and adults wave to the local free sheet after they reach the end of their route with the Wood School Bike Bus on 5/19/23, which travels from Wood School to the Rogers School playground along the bike path. Photo by Beth David
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