Students at one local school are trading traffic and long car lines for bicycles. These kids said it\u2019s the best way to get to class. Heather Walker takes us along for the ride in this 7Spotlight.<\/p>\n
For these students at Springview Elementary in Miami Springs, it is a great morning because it\u2019s bike bus day.<\/p>\n
7\u2019s Heather Walker: \u201cWhat is the bike bus?\u201d<\/p>\n
Student: \u201cIt\u2019s like a group of kids where they bike.\u201d<\/p>\n
The idea is simple: Instead of a bus taking kids to school, they hop on their bikes and ride together.<\/p>\n
On this bus, the only fuel they need is pedal power.<\/p>\n
Like a school bus, the bike bus follows the same route every Friday and picks kids up along the way.<\/p>\n
7\u2019s Heather Walker: \u201cWhat do you guys think about this bike bus?\u201d<\/p>\n
Student: \u201cIt\u2019s so fun; I love it. It\u2019s like a morning exercise.\u201d<\/p>\n
Student: \u201cIt\u2019s also good because we get to go with our friends.<\/p>\n
Instead of sitting in traffic, these students start their day moving, talking and building friendships before they even step into the classroom.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s not just kids, teachers and parents also take part.<\/p>\n
Noel Gonzalez: \u201cIt\u2019s just a blast; It\u2019s the best way to get to school.\u201d<\/p>\n
Noel Gonzalez is the mom who organized the bike bus. She saw it on social media in other cities and thought, \u201cWhy not here?\u201d<\/p>\n
Noel Gonzalez: \u201cI said, \u2018Why not Miami, why not us?’\u201d<\/p>\n
What started with a handful of riders has quickly grown to dozens. She said the joy from the ride is contagious.<\/p>\n
Noel Gonzalez: \u201cI certainly think that they show up to school on Fridays happier, more energized and more excited to go to school. When you wake them up and say, \u2018It\u2019s bike bus Friday,\u2019 they\u2019re going to jump out of their bed. It\u2019s the one day that you don\u2019t have to struggle to get them out of bed.\u201d<\/p>\n
Student: \u201cI get pumped up for school.\u201d<\/p>\n
And how could you not with the neighborhood rallying behind you?<\/p>\n
Noel Gonzalez: \u201cThey come out and they wave us by and they ring a bell or cheer us on and it\u2019s just the best feeling.\u201d<\/p>\n
Starting the day in the right gear.<\/p>\n
Heather Walker, 7News.<\/p>\n