The Driscoll
Bike Bus
A group of kids and parents biking to school together. We go at the speed of the slowest kid, with adults riding at the front and the back.
Walking group from Corey Hill
Optional- 7:00Summit Ave & Jordan RdA parent leader meets you at the top of the hill.
- 7:05Summit Ave & Mason TerraceJoin here instead if you live farther down the hill.
- 7:15Arrive at Griggs Park, northeast cornerGet on your bikes and join the rest of the group.
The bike bus
0.74 miles, no hills steeper than 3%- 7:15Griggs Park, northeast cornerThis is where the path from Beacon Street enters the park. Come any time between 7:15 and 7:30 and we'll check helmets, brakes and tires.
- 7:30We leaveAlong Griggs Terrace and Griggs Road to Washington Street.
- 7:38Washington SquareYou can also join us here if it's closer. Everyone gets off and walks their bikes across Beacon Street together on one light.
- 7:45Arrive at the Driscoll bike racksThat's 15 minutes before the bell.
What to bring and how we ride
- A helmet. Everyone wears one, adults too. We can't take anyone without a helmet.
- Pumped-up tires. Give them a squeeze the night before.
- Working brakes. Roll the bike forward and squeeze each brake to check.
- Something bright to wear. It's still fairly dark on October mornings. We'll have some vests to lend.
- A backpack for school things, so both hands stay on the handlebars.
- Stay between the adults at the front and the back.
- Ride no more than two side by side.
- We stop at every light and stop sign, then go together.
- Call out things like "car back" and "stopping."
- No headphones.
- If you're finding it hard, tell someone and we'll slow down.
Sign up (one form per family)
The form tells us how many adults, vests and donuts to bring, and it puts you on the reminder list and the WhatsApp group. At the end there's a short release to read and sign. You can read a summary of it further down this page.
781.879.3883
336.314.2202
Questions we've been asked
- My kid isn't a confident rider yet.
- That's completely fine. You could ride right next to them, put a younger child on a bike seat or tag-along, or practice a few afternoons before October 7. You're also welcome to come and watch this time and ride with us next time.
- Do we ride on Beacon Street?
- No. We cross it twice, and both times we walk. The walking group crosses at the Summit Avenue light on the way to Griggs Park. Later, everyone gets off at Washington Square and walks across together on one light.
- We don't live near either meeting point.
- You can join at either stop: Griggs Park between 7:15 and 7:30, or Washington Square at 7:38. You don't need to live nearby, and you don't need to tell us ahead of time.
- We live on the hill but can't make 7:00.
- Just meet us at the northeast corner of Griggs Park any time between 7:15 and 7:30. Walk, ride or drive down, whatever is easiest.
- Can I drop my child off and not come?
- No. Every child has to ride with their own parent or guardian, or with another adult that parent has arranged ahead of time. We're volunteers riding with our own kids, and we aren't supervising anyone else's child.
- Can we come on a scooter, balance bike, cargo bike or tag-along?
- Yes, all of those are welcome. Scooters just need to be able to keep up with a slow group of bikes.
- What if it rains?
- We cancel if it's raining, icy, or colder than about 25°F. We'll send a message by 6:15 AM, so please check before you leave.
- Is this going to happen every week?
- October 7 is a trial run. If enough families come, and enough grown-ups offer to help lead, we'll make it monthly.
- What about riding home?
- For now it's mornings only. Bikes stay at the racks, and kids ride home the way they normally would.
We need four more adult volunteers
Please read this before you ride
This is not a school program. The Driscoll Bike Bus is an informal ride organized by parents. It is not a program of the Michael Driscoll School, the Public Schools of Brookline, the Driscoll PTO, or the Town of Brookline, and it is not sponsored, supervised, endorsed, or insured by any of them.
The organizers are parent volunteers. We are not cycling instructors, coaches, guides, or childcare providers. We hold no qualification for any of this, and we are not supervising anyone else's child.
Every child rides in the care of their own parent or guardian, or of another adult that parent has arranged with directly and in advance. That adult stays with the child for the whole ride and is solely responsible for them. Children cannot be dropped off.
Riding on public streets carries real risk of serious injury. Risks include falls, motor vehicles, opening car doors, road surfaces, weather, mechanical failure, and the actions of other people. The organizers can't foresee or control many of these. The route crosses Beacon Street, a major arterial.
Whether to ride is your decision. You know your child and you can see the weather. Judge for yourself, every time, whether they are ready and whether the day is safe for your family. Please don't let the fact that a group is going take the place of your own judgment. If you have any doubt, it's completely fine to stay home or walk instead.
Helmets are required for every rider, adult and child, no exceptions.
The sign-up form asks you to confirm you have read this, that you are taking part voluntarily and at your own risk, that you remain responsible for supervising your own child, and that you release the organizers and other participating families from claims arising from participation, to the fullest extent Massachusetts law allows.