Dropping the Kids off
Sep 04, 2007 · 09:40 AM · permalink
When I picked up my son from soccer practice recently he asked me, “why do you always pick me up on the Bettie?” And I replied, “because it’s not a car and it’s fun.” He nodded and smiled.
This week when the children go back to school they’ll also ask me to not bling the bell when I drop them of at or embarrass them in any other way … “embarrassed, I asked? What other kids get dropped off by bike?” They’re all in SUVs, how boring!
Nice post. My wife and I are on a mission to get more folks in our neighborhood (Bryant) walking and riding to school. The current drive-an-SUV-seven-blocks-to-school epidemic has got to stop!
Maybe we’ll get some buzz when school starts tomorrow when we roll up on our dual xtracycles. We’ll try to document our efforts on our blog this school year.)
I’ll roll up on Bettie for sure and was your wife on her xtracycle last Friday? I passed a mom twice on the swing bridge.
She and the kids were on the longbike for sure, but probably northeast of you (montlake bridge versus spokane st.)…
BTW, I just created a facebook group on the topic. It’s called: “Hey Seattle: Park that damn SUV and take your kids to school on a bike.”
I’ve never done a group so I’m not sure what will happen, but FWIW all huggers are welcome! You can find the group at: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=4976598694
PS — Anyone can create an account on facebook these days. If you need a timesuck then check it out.
My oldest (9) is sometimes a little embarrassed that his Mom walks him and his little sister to school. Some kid in his class asked if we were poor because his Mom walks and I ride a bike. It’s too bad that some kids already have that car culture mentality ingrained by 1st, 2nd, or 3rd grade.
I am amazed how many parents in our neighborhood load their kids in a van and drop them off at the school a 1/2 mile to 3/4 mile away. In most cases, walking or riding is not only healthier, it is faster.
It was wall-to-wall cars yesterday at the first day of school …they even have a protocol and queue for the drop-off and picks up. So, I just pull right up on the Bettie. I did agree to stop blinging the bell and calling attention to ourselves. That went along with no touching, hugging, or other signs of “baby affection” when I dropped the boy off.
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