Bike bus
How to start a bike bus for your school and where to get help setting one up.
How a bike bus works
A bike bus is a group of people who cycle to school together along a planned route.
It’s an enjoyable way to make cycling a regular part of the week. For children, riding alongside friends is a great way to start the day.
Benefits of a bike bus
A bike bus offers significant benefits for pupils, parents and the wider community:
- Improves health and wellbeing: Cycling to school supports children’s physical fitness and mental health
- Enhances learning: Teachers report that pupils arrive more relaxed and ready to learn
- Builds community connections: A bike bus helps families get to know each other and strengthens neighbourhood ties
- Reduces traffic congestion: One in four cars during the morning rush hour is on the school run. Fewer cars mean safer streets and less congestion outside school gates
- Protects the environment: Cycling even one day a week helps reduce carbon emissions
Help with route mapping and cycle training
We are available to help with route mapping and cycle training. Contact transportation@wandsworth.gov.uk and our officers can help.
You can also download the Sustrans’ FRideDays Bike Bus Toolkit for more detailed guidance.
Set up your own bike bus
Follow these five steps to set up your bike bus:
- Start small: As long as two or more families are involved, you have a bike bus.
- Plan your route: Choose a safe, practical route to school (10 to 30 minutes ideally). Keep it simple, minimise turns and ensure a safe starting point.
- Schedule your rides: Set a regular schedule. We recommend every Friday but you can start with a monthly or more frequent rides, building up to weekly rides.
- Promote your bike bus: Spread the word through school newsletters, PTA, flyers, social media and community events.
- Keep everyone connected: Create an online messaging group to share updates, weather alerts and photos.