# Kids Take Bike Bus Instead of Being Driven to School > Chicago kids now ride bike buses to school instead of being driven, growing from 30 to over 100 riders weekly. - Title: Kids Take Bike Bus Instead of Being Driven to School - Summary: Chicago kids now ride bike buses to school instead of being driven, growing from 30 to over 100 riders weekly. Chicago bike buses, organized by parents, have… - Keywords: bike bus, waters elementary, chicago, parents, children, school transportation, safety, news, local, Kids, Take, Bike - Source: Chicago Sun-Times — https://chicago.suntimes.com/education/2026/09/23/bike-bus-waters-elementary - Published: 2026-09-23T10:00:00+00:00 - Read time: 2 min - Topics: bike bus, waters elementary, chicago, parents, children, school transportation, safety, news, local ## Bike Bus Concept Chicago kids now ride bike buses to school instead of being driven, growing from 30 to over 100 riders weekly. > The idea is simple: Once a week, a group of kids and parents bike to school together. ## Weekly Bike Bus Rides Parents organize bike buses with children, riding as chaperones to block drivers at intersections. > As we ride to school, we get bigger and bigger. ## Ridership Growth Bike buses grew from 30 to over 100 riders weekly at Waters Elementary School by 2026. > Now we can easily get above 100 riders. ## Safety and Social Benefits Parents say bike buses provide safety in numbers, socialization opportunities, and push back against Chicago’s car-centric culture. > It’s a roving party through the neighborhood. ## Historical Context Bike buses originated in Belgium in 1998 but became popular in Chicago after the pandemic. > Some Chicago bike bus organizers say they were inspired by Sam Balto, who reportedly organized the first U.S. bike bus in 2022 in Portland, Oregon. ## Waters Elementary Bike Bus Sten Turpin and Kirstin Hanson organize bike buses for Waters Elementary School with 100+ riders. > We’re visible. We’re keeping each other safe. ## Ridership at Disney Magnet School Walt Disney Magnet School bike buses grew from less than 10 to 30 riders since 2022. > Kids can come from all over the city. So it’s been a challenge to build up. ## Historical Shift in School Transportation Fewer children walk or bike to school: 50% in 1969 dropped to 11% by 2017, with car use rising from 12% to 50%. > By 2017, the number dropped to 11%. ## Parental Concerns Parents worry about car safety and street conditions, with many still nervous about letting children ride alone. > Cars are bigger than they’ve ever been. It’s extremely concerning. ## Bike Bus Goals Parents aim to normalize biking for children, reducing reliance on bike buses over time. > We’re a big group. We’re visible. We’re keeping each other safe. ## Current Challenges Chicago streets remain dangerous for cyclists, requiring bike buses for safety despite growing ridership. > I don’t trust drivers. Cars are bigger than they’ve ever been. ## Future of Bike Buses Bike buses will continue to grow as Chicago parents prioritize safety and sustainable transportation. > It’s a low barrier to entryway for kids to start getting that experience. ## Bike Bus Impact Bike buses are helping Chicago children ride safely to school while challenging the city’s car-centric culture. > A lot of it has to do with independence and being comfortable riding in the street. ## Conclusion Chicago bike buses have become a growing movement to reduce car dependency and improve children’s safety. > More than a couple dozen bike buses are now held regularly in the Chicago area. ## Key takeaway Chicago bike buses, organized by parents, have grown from 30 to over 100 riders weekly to reduce car dependency and improve safety for children.