Volunteer cyclists hope new bike bus helps get JCPS students to school throughout Louisville

LOUISVILLE, Ky. (WDRB) -- Parents, teachers, and cyclists have been organizing bike buses for Jefferson County Public Schools students.

Louisville's bike bus will operate near Hawthorne Elementary School and at the Lincoln Elementary Performing Arts School for now, but leaders hope it expands its service area overtime.

For many families, Alicia Jones said it'll be an eco-friendly, fun commute. With the help of seven other volunteers and two parents, she created Duck Duck Goose Bike Bus for JCPS families.

"We lost transportation to the magnet and traditional schools," Jones said. "And as cyclists, we just got together to try to do something, anything that we could help."

Bike Bus — Duck Duck Goose Bus Ride hopes to help JCPS students get to school safe.

JCPS cut transportation for most magnet and traditional schools this year to resolve last year's busing delays.

"We didn't want to step on JCPS' feet," Jones said. "We just wanted things to happen. We don't want to eliminate busing. We just want to help. That's all."

Jones said, right now, they have rides planned for every other Friday at Lincoln and Hawthorne.

"When they see us pull up, when we're playing Kidz Bop, we're gonna get them all (laughing and happy)," Jones said.

Any student under the age of 10 can get a free helmet or bike provided by Falls City Community Bike Works, a local bike shop, to keep and use with Duck Duck Goose.

"We don't want anything to stop anybody from wanting to do this," Jones said.

Students will either ride with Jones or a background-checked volunteer.

"If we're not here and they wanted to do this, they may want to go on the sidewalk," Jones said. "But they may find a better way or a safer way if we guide them."

She wired her bike with lights and added a boom box, disco ball and bubbles to make the ride fun. Jones said now they're just waiting for more JCPS parents to speak up, volunteer and create more routes.

"We want as much involvement as possible," Jones said. "We want as many bike buses as there can be all over."

The first official ride will be to Lincoln on Sept. 13.

If you would like to suggest a new route or get involved, click here or email duckducklou@gmail.com.

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