by 
Share On Social!
Kids attending Hart Elementary, a predominantly low-income school in Austin, TX, with 88% Latino students, can now enjoy daily bike rides thanks to a new protected bike lane and bridge that connect the school to a nearby residential area.
According to a Peopleforbikes.org blog, the 1.1 mile stretch of protected lanes, which consists of a few poles and some paint, cost the city only $20,000 and took four days to install.
In addition to the protected bike lanes, the school is participating in a pilot program, which will study the effects of the bike lanes and a new bike to school program, on learning and health outcomes.
In a news article from the Austin Statesman, principal David Dean said: “I’m a believer that if we can promote this program and show that it can be fun but also healthy for the kids, you will see more engagement in the classroom.”
According to the Austin Statesman article, the city spent about $50,000 to provide technical assistance, and to purchase bikes and helmets for 3rd, 4th, and 5th graders, who are required to ride their bikes to school for the first 30 days of class.
Afterwards, the school will monitor how many students continue riding their bikes to school.
One student, 11year-old Joseph Lara told the Statesman: “It was really fun. “I’m going to go ride it every single day. It’s good exercise”
Prior to the launch of the bike to school program, Boneshakers, an Austin based non-profit, provided students with bike safety instructions.
In the coming year, the school hopes to have at least 300 students participating regularly in a bike train.
To learn more about this change, visit the links below:
Six photos show how much a quick protected lane can add to a bigger project
Austin’s Hart Elementary is pilot for new bike-to-school program
By The Numbers
33
percent
of Latinos live within walking distance (<1 mile) of a park
