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All aboard: Kingswood students ride to school together through the Bike Bus

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Two young children standing next to their colorful bicycles on a paved road with trees and buildings visible in the background.
All aboard: Kingswood students ride to school together through the Bike Bus

“We’re leaving in two minutes!” emphasized Nichole Harshbarger, first-grade teacher at Kingswood K-8. Students circling the empty Chuck E. Cheese parking lot gathered into place, hands on handlebars and feet on pedals.

With a quick safety check, a student count, and the naming of the ride’s leader and tail rider, the journey to school began. 

A group of people, both adults and children, are standing and sitting on bicycles in a paved outdoor area surrounded by trees.

The idea of Kingswood’s Bike Bus dates back three years, when Harshbarger proposed a spin on the traditional Walk to School Day by biking to school. With the very first bike bus bringing in 50 students in 2023, the event was fully implemented for a monthly occurrence at Kingswood by 2024. 

The Kingswood Bike Bus encourages students to take active transportation to school, including bicycles and scooters. With fitness and safety at its core, the staff ensures that students feel comfortable on the ride to school.

The route to school includes two stops through the neighborhood before arriving at school. As Kingswood prioritizes student safety, only experienced and confident riders are invited to the first stop, and all riders are welcome at the second stop. Staff members are also stationed at each corner.

For students, the Bike Bus is a source of motivation and confidence, including first grader Emily.

Emily has been riding her scooter to school with this group since kindergarten. After much practice at home, she built the confidence to make her biking debut during this January’s ride.

A group of children on bicycles and scooters gathered on a street, with a large truck in the background and trees lining the sides of the road.

“They see other kids riding, their teachers are riding,” said Harshbarger. “Someone I trust is riding, so I can ride too.” 

Faculty and staff have seen a positive impact from this effort that combines fitness, safety and community. 

“In the morning, I can absolutely notice everybody seems more lively, more happy,” shared school community intervention specialist Marque Brady. “The energy is already there. From the music going and the bikes, they’re just ready to go for the day.”

As students roll onto campus side by side, helmets on and smiles wide, they are not just arriving at school; they’re building healthy habits and a strong sense of belonging, one ride at a time.