Join other kids and families, and ride bikes to school TOGETHER. The more, the safer. If unfamiliar with the concept, this fun video will give you an idea.
Existing Ashland bike bus routes:
*last updated 7 Nov. 2023
If you want to see another route serving families starting/heading elsewhere, contact Mike (info below).
A bike bus uses two trained conductors working together. One leads at front; one sweeps at rear. Additional parent volunteers will help “cork” intersections. There are one or more timed stops, where the whole group waits til a prescribed time to take off again en masse. But folks can and should join in at any point along the route (details below).
Mike Vergeer, parent to Paloma at Willow Wind and certified bike safety instructor (LCI #2968), can help to coordinate new bus routes. Email bike@rvtd.org with comments, questions, or help assessing your kid’s readiness.
To parents: there are, of course, some risks inherent in bicycling to school. If your kid is wobbly or otherwise unready to ride near traffic, you should ride with your kid. If they can stay focused and respond to some coaching, you can leave them to ride with the group. It’s your call.
The Ashland eastward route
runs on Fridays. Refer to turn-by-turn directions below this map (https://goo.gl/maps/JmG7eo2Lpop4ZD9r8)
This route primarily serves families at Willow Wind, Trails, Ashland Middle School, and the Siskiyou School. Lead parent volunteer = Mike Vergeer (text 541-631-9280). This Bike Bus will run every Friday. If it’s really awful weather, please text Mike to confirm before riding.
Route start (7:50am): SW corner of Helman and W. Hersey St.
Brief safety orientation by conductors to all assembled
Ride SE on Helman. Cross RR tracks.
L on Van Ness (4-way stop)
R on Water (no stop sign for riders in this direction)
L from southbound Water St onto eastbound B St (no stop sign for riders in this direction)
Proceed eastward on B St. through 4-way stops at Pioneer, First, and Second Streets
L from eastbound B St. to northbound 8th St.
Enter east end of Railroad Park
Timed stop (8:10am): east end of Railroad Park at Central Bike Path
New riders wishing to join the bike bus here should wait OFF THE PED/BIKE PATH
Ride Central Bike Path eastward toward Willow Wind
Cross N. Mountain Ave. (remain on Central Bike Path)
Central Bike Path spills into crosswalk to cross E. Main, turning L and over train tracks onto E. Main St.
Riders headed toward the Siskiyou School would stay on the Central Bike Path until Clay Street.
Exercise extra caution alongside busy car traffic on E. Main (esp. at Wightman Street intersection)
Willow Wind riders will split from Trails/AMS riders at the intersection of E. Main St. and Campus Way.
Entry to Willow Wind campus (refer to image detail below):
Remain on your bike on E. Main St. until you cross Campus Way (Scienceworks entry street).
Dismount bike immediately after crossing Campus Way to use the lighted crosswalk.
Push button for flashing lights, and walk across E. Main in crosswalk.
Continue walking (westbound) across Willow Wind driveway.
Then R onto Willow Wind bike path that parallels the driveway.
Proceed to covered bike parking near playground.
The Ashland northward route to Helman
runs on the 3rd Wednesday of each month. Refer to turn-by-turn directions below this map (https://www.google.com/maps/d/edit?mid=1cmb71wVlpIJ4Qr5XhoahFMqGkEGRb3Q&usp=sharing)
This route primarily serves families at Helman Elementary School. When Helman is not in session on the 3rd Wednesday of a given month, we’ll ride on the previous Wednesday when school IS in session. For the 2023-24 school year, we’ll ride on November 15, December 13 (one week early to accommodate winter break), January 17, February 21, March 20, April 17, and May 15. If demand warrants, we’ll move to the 1st and 3rd Wednesday to coincide with the existing Walk & Roll to School days. The Bike Bus will run rain or shine! Lead parent volunteer = Sharon Dohrmann: 541-205-8488
BIKE BUS ROUTE DESCRIPTION: Join anywhere along this route!
Neighborhood near Briscoe Elementary (7:45am): You can meet the first riders at the SW corner of High and Manzanita and ride together to the start.
Route start (7:50am): SW corner of Rock & Nursery St. Brief safety orientation by conductors to all assembled (5 minutes)
• Ride east on Nursery St. toward Main Street. Stop to form tight group and wait to safely cross Main St. (crosswalk but no stop sign or light)
• L after crossing Main St. Exercise extra caution alongside busy car traffic on Main Street. Young children should ride on the sidewalk.
• R on Glenn St.
• R on Orange St.
• L on Drager St.
Timed stop (8:00am): NE corner of Otis and Drager Streets. New riders wishing to join the bike bus here should wait on the sidewalk and out of the road.
• R on Randy and then carefully cross Laurel St. to enter the Helman drop off area.
• Enter the Helman Elementary parkinglot(8:10am) and continue to bike parking area.
Ashland northwestward route to Walker/Trails/AMS/Willow Wind: Please contact Mike to help start it!