The pickup line phenomena is insane here in the U.S. And even though I live in a city (Baltimore), there a still an unbelievable number of parents who drove their kids the half mile to school each day. The good news- I’ve started a bike bus to our school just a few weeks ago after being inspired by the Barcelona and Portland versions. We’re just getting it off the ground but so far it’s been awesome with the few families we have. Word is getting out and people are excited about it, can’t wait to see where it’s at by the end of the school year!
This is a slight tangent, but the idea of kids is one of the main factors that keeps me from feeling completely settled in Castellon, Spain.
Canada has one of the top school systems in the world, and compared to the public schools I went to, the ones here look like prisons. The private schools don't hold up either. Plus, they’re quite a bit more traditional in their approach to learning. Spanish ‘Titulitis’ (overemphasizing formal qualifications over practical experience) also dissuaded me.
In Canada, I felt schools cultivated your talents, whether academic, entrepreneurial, creative, or trades-related. In Spain, everything is a push to university with the dream of getting through ‘oposiciones’ for a government job.
I LOVE the idea of Bicibus!!! So cool! I don’t have kids either, but I loved watching moms and dads longboard or walk their kids to school in my neighborhood in San Diego. It was so cute and like you said after school people hang and chat. Same thing here in Napoli but on scooters (they hold the babies while they scooter somehow😂).
yeah the 'driving kids to school' is definitely out of control. "In Australia, the national rate of "active travel to school" has declined over the past 40 years from 75 to 25 per cent of trips." 🙃 i personally walked to school (then skateboard) by myself since aged 6 and i can't emphasize enough how good it's been.
It's these organic interactions that foster healthy communities, from business to social to community ties. How far away did you live from your elementary school Brian? And how many kids biked to school?
It would be worth it to move close enough by our school so that the future kids have the option, but making sure they stay safe is also a priority. It'd be awesome to bike with them.
The pickup line phenomena is insane here in the U.S. And even though I live in a city (Baltimore), there a still an unbelievable number of parents who drove their kids the half mile to school each day. The good news- I’ve started a bike bus to our school just a few weeks ago after being inspired by the Barcelona and Portland versions. We’re just getting it off the ground but so far it’s been awesome with the few families we have. Word is getting out and people are excited about it, can’t wait to see where it’s at by the end of the school year!
Yeah I had no idea how bad it was until I started writing this article. So glad to hear you took initiative and started up the bike bus in your area!
This is a slight tangent, but the idea of kids is one of the main factors that keeps me from feeling completely settled in Castellon, Spain.
Canada has one of the top school systems in the world, and compared to the public schools I went to, the ones here look like prisons. The private schools don't hold up either. Plus, they’re quite a bit more traditional in their approach to learning. Spanish ‘Titulitis’ (overemphasizing formal qualifications over practical experience) also dissuaded me.
In Canada, I felt schools cultivated your talents, whether academic, entrepreneurial, creative, or trades-related. In Spain, everything is a push to university with the dream of getting through ‘oposiciones’ for a government job.
I LOVE the idea of Bicibus!!! So cool! I don’t have kids either, but I loved watching moms and dads longboard or walk their kids to school in my neighborhood in San Diego. It was so cute and like you said after school people hang and chat. Same thing here in Napoli but on scooters (they hold the babies while they scooter somehow😂).
yeah the 'driving kids to school' is definitely out of control. "In Australia, the national rate of "active travel to school" has declined over the past 40 years from 75 to 25 per cent of trips." 🙃 i personally walked to school (then skateboard) by myself since aged 6 and i can't emphasize enough how good it's been.
you could find the story -and some other interesting thoughts here: https://k7v.in/kids-protection-gone-too-far
Loving this.
It's these organic interactions that foster healthy communities, from business to social to community ties. How far away did you live from your elementary school Brian? And how many kids biked to school?
It would be worth it to move close enough by our school so that the future kids have the option, but making sure they stay safe is also a priority. It'd be awesome to bike with them.
Here! Here! Another good case for ending car insanity. 👍🏽
As a kid, I lived in Kingwood TX (Houston suburb). One of the best features was its system of "greenbelts".
Paved paths through the woods (and into tunnels under streets) so that kids could walk or bike to school.
https://www.kingwood.com/pdfs/greenbelt_map.pdf
I think Peachtree City near Atlanta might be similar.
All suburbs should try it.
Great article Brian
maybe another reason why having kids has fallen out of favor 😂