Bike-to-School Day 2011

Photo Credit: Elise Hugus, Falmouth Enterprise

After four days of rain, I wasn't even sure we would be able pull off Bike-to-School Day. I really wanted our event to coincide with the second annual Bay State Bike Week and National Bike-to-Work Week, so I spent the week watching the weather radars and keeping my fingers crossed that we would have a dry day on Friday. Plans were made, volunteers were rounded up, food was donated by Pie in the Sky in Woods Hole, prizes were donated by Eight Cousins and others, and Friday finally came around. As I made my way down the bike path I could see glimpses of the sun trying to break through the early morning fog that blanketed Vineyard Sound. I really had no idea how many students and parents would meet me at Trunk River, the rain the past four days seemed to suck the motivation out of a lot of folks. Much to my surprise, when I arrived at 7:15am, there were already about 10 kids waiting for me., and by the time we rolled out at 7:40, I counted about 30 kids. Eight other teachers met kids at various spots around Falmouth, and as we rode towards Morse Pond, Lynne called me, saying their group had just arrived to school with more than 20 kids! At that point, I knew that we blew away my original goal of 30 riders. Leading our group of 40+ riders into the Morse Pond circle is a memory that I will never forget. By the time we arrived, there was already a crowd gathered, and the front of the school was a sea of bikes! Words really can't describe the way I felt about everyone who rallied and came out to support us!

Ok, so here are the total numbers... 85 students and 25 adult riders! Thanks to the members of the Falmouth Bikeways Committee and MassBikes for donating prizes and helping with stopping traffic at all the major intersections. I think everyone had fun, and hopefully a few more people might realize that they don't have to drive every day. All it takes is doing it once.

Photo Credits: Andrea Schwamb (except where noted)

It's On!

Just in case you were wondering. A little foggy at 5:00am, but it looks like the rain is going to hold off. Don't forget your helmet.

Watching the Weather

Needless to say, it hasn't been the greatest weather for Bike-to-Work Week so far. My ride in yesterday was semi-dry, but I got soaked on the way home today. Wednesday looks to be the worst of the week, which is fine by me. Friday is what counts, and so far I say we are going to be okay. The forecast calls for some light showers, but NOT during the morning or afternoon commute hours. We can handle that.

For those of you just joining us, here is the plan: This Friday, May 20, we are planning to get as many students together and ride our bikes to school. The plan is to meet up at the Trunk River Bridge (on the bike path to Woods Hole) at 7:30am and ride the bike path to downtown. From downtown our rolling party will make our way to Morse Pond, we should get to school sometime around 8:00am. Other teachers are meeting up with kids in West and North Falmouth and riding in together. Once everyone arrives at school, we will enjoy some baked goods and hot coffee (for the adults) donated by Pie in the Sky, then we will start our regular school day. Everyone who rides will receive raffle tickets for our prize-giveaway, which will take place right after school. We are giving away gifts cards to local book stores, Bike Falmouth t-shirts, as well as iTunes and movie theater passes.

The other thing we have done is created an incentive program to try and get families to change their habits and start biking to school instead of driving or taking a bus. A fun and simple way for children to exercise is to bicycle to school. Children who do a moderate amount of outdoor exercise before school feel less stressed, are more ready to learn, and feel better about themselves. Students who ride their bikes to school are helping the environment by using human power instead of fossil fuels, and are making a healthier choice.

So I created this blog, and with the help of the Morse Pond PTO and others, we are providing incentives for our students to ride their bikes to school. Volunteers track students arriving at Morse Pond each morning and we are going to give prizes at the end of the school year. Categories include, but are not limited to; the greatest number of days the student rides to school, greatest distance traveled to school, or a combination of both. The grand prize will include an iPod Touch and two second place cash prizes of $100 each. Other prizes may include Bike Falmouth t-shirts, iTunes gift certificates, movie passes, bicycle helmets, etc. Every student who rides a minimum of ten days will receive either a prize or recognition of some sort (certificate, t-shirt, etc.). Since starting the incentive program back in April, we now have 5-10 students riding almost everyday. Pretty cool, but I know we can do better.

See you on Friday!

Volunteers Needed

Welcome to Bay State Bike Week 2011!

Many of you have been asking me about a rain date for our Bike-to-School Day this Friday. I'm not scheduling a rain date, as long as it is not pouring we will be riding. I'm being optimistic and am going to say that it will be a great day! If you are not planning on riding, but still want to participate, I am in need of 2-3 volunteers who can get to Morse Pond between 7:30 and 7:45am, to help set up a couple of tables and banners, as well as set out the food and make sure the coffee is hot. I would like to have everything ready to go by 8:00am. If you want to help out, leave a comment below. Thanks!

Here are some other planned bike-related events that are happening on the Cape this week:

Tuesday, May 17 @ 8:15am- Barnstable: West Barnstable/Barnstable Group Bike Ride

Wednesday, May 18 @ 6:30am- Falmouth: Bike-to-Work Day, 10:00am- Hyannis: "Getting To and Through Cape Cod" Transit-Oriented Map Kick-Off

Thursday, May 19 @ 5:45pm- Hyannis: Cape Cod Cycling Club/MassBike Ride, 6:00pm- Chatham: Bike Movie Night

Friday, May 20 @ Falmouth: Morse Pond School Bike-to-School Day

Bikes Make Life Better

Bike-to-Work (and School) Day is Friday, May 20

The plan is to meet up at the Trunk River Bridge (on the bike path) at 7:30am and ride the bike path to downtown. From downtown our rolling party will make our way to Morse Pond, we should get to school sometime around 8:00am. Other teachers are meeting up with kids in West and East Falmouth and riding in together. Once everyone arrives at school, we will enjoy some tasty pastries and hot coffee (for the adults), then start our day. Everyone who rides will receive raffle tickets for our prize-giveaway, which will take place right after school. Thanks to Eight Cousins who donated a nice prize bag today! We should have some iTunes gift cards and other cool bike related stuff to give away as well. I'm still looking for donations of food and prizes, so if you want to donate something, drop me a message below or talk to me at school. Thanks!

We Might Need More Bike Racks

Someday

Inspiration

Think you can't ride your bike to work?

My NYC Biking Story: Sarinya Srisakul from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

It's a Start

I know, it's only six bikes, not a big deal for somewhere like Portland or Boulder, but this is Falmouth, and it's a start.

Bike Falmouth Logo

Graphic design by Curtis Waterbury.

Bike Falmouth T-Shirt Designs

Graphic design by Curtis Waterbury.

What's Possible

Portland's Bike Boulevards Become Neighborhood Greenways from Streetfilms on Vimeo.

“Get paid to ride your bike to school!”

Bike Falmouth presents Morse Pond School Bike-to-School Incentive Contest:

A fun and simple way for children to exercise is to bicycle to school. According to the National Library of Medicine, children who do a moderate amount of outdoor exercise before school feel less stressed, are more ready to learn, and feel better about themselves. Students who ride their bikes to school are helping the environment by using human power instead of fossil fuels, and are making a healthier choice.

Bike Falmouth, with the help of the Morse Pond PTO, is providing incentives to ride a bicycle to school. Volunteers will track students arriving at MPS each morning and give prizes at the end of the school year. Categories will include, but are not limited to; the greatest number of days the student rides to school, greatest distance traveled to school, or a combination of both. Every student will be eligible to participate.

The prizes will be desirable to 5th and 6th graders. The grand prize will include an iPod Touch and two second place cash prizes of $100 each. Other prizes may include Bike Falmouth t-shirts, gift certificates, movie passes, sports team memorabilia, bicycle helmets, etc. Every student who rides a minimum of ten days will receive either a prize or recognition of some sort (certificate, t-shirt, etc.).

Timeframe: Beginning in April of 2011, and prizes awarded the last week of school in June.

National Bike-to-Work (and School) Week is scheduled from May 16-20, and Bike-to-Work (School) Day is on Friday, May 20. We would like to invite all of the Morse Pond community to ride to school on May 20, enjoy some yummy refreshments, and celebrate Bike-to-Work Day.

Safest route to Morse Pond School: From Dillingham Avenue, take the town owned dirt path next to the Senior Center. This path connects to the lower field behind the school. Safe and secure bike racks are located outside of the cafeteria. Don’t forget your lock and helmet!