b'Catching theBike Bus WaveSOMA joins a movement to get kids to pedal to schoolBY TIA SWANSONRob Howley, Marshall bike bus captain, getsThe Seth Boyden bike bus was the first the kids organized on their way to school.bike bus in SOMA and includes more Photo credit: Rob Howley than 90 families. Here they ride to school along Rutgers Street. Photo credit: Martin CeperleyMore than 70 families are part of the Clinton bike bus. Here they are riding together on Parker Avenue. Photo credit: Martin CeperleyT hesunwasjustbeginningtomaketunes started. As the first strains of the Jackson 5sing. Thats what makes it different than just riding itspresencefeltonachillyMarchI Want You Back boomed out of the giant speak- your bike around.morningwhenfourthgraderHaleyer strapped to the back of his bike, he maneuveredHappiness is not the only payoff.Esperanzatepedaleduptothecor- to the head of the line, motioned for others to fol- Itsdoneatremendousjobbuildingcon-ner of Midland and Suffolk streets inlow, and set off. The Seth Boyden Bike Bussixfidence in the kids, Howley said. We want to Maplewood, the first to arrive at thekids and eight adults strongwas on its way. show them they can be independent and strong bus stop.Those who find themselves on the lesser-trav- on their own.She was dressed for the weather, although hereledroadsofSOMAbetween8and9onFri- Indeed. The work that goes into getting a large jacket was open to better catch the breezes. Sheday mornings may have encountered a bike bus.group of children safely from home to school via was anxious to get moving. She had friends wait- Ceperley started Seth Boydens bus in the fall, butbike is not for ing at stops farther down the line. very quickly parents at the other schools took no- thefaintof I like biking with my friends a lot, she said.tice. There are now bike buses operating at everyheart.Each Before long, others joined her, usually a childelementaryschoolinthedistrictexceptSouthleaderhad partnered with an adult. One guy had a flashingMountain, whose location at the top of South Or- todevelopa caution triangle on his bike helmet, another hadange Avenue makes biking a daunting prospect.routethatis a child carrier attached to his bike frame, and yetBut for those in quieter, flatter locations, bikemostlyflat, another had a baby seat. They gathered, waitingbus Fridays have become a joyful addition to thelesstrafficked for their leader, Martin Ceperley. He was spied atschool day. Its a fun way to start the day, saidandabouta the top of the small incline that rises as SuffolkMarshall Bike Bus captain Rob Howley. The kidsmileanda crosses Parker, astride a fancy, new electric bikeshow up happy.halffromthe and trailed by his two young children. Aaron Kirdz, one of Seth Boydens other lead- school. Ceperley,outfittedinasmartyellowslicker,ers,saysthekidshappinessinfectsthegroup.Eachbus was soon joined by a couple of guys in orange vestsThe energy comes from the children themselves,includesaSeth Boyden fourth grader Haley on road bikes. Ceperley stopped to say hello to allhe said. We might look like were having fun, butw e l l - o i l e dEsperanzate was the first to arrive at the bus stop. She rides with her those gathered and checked his phone to get theits the energy from the children were all absorb- team of sweep- friends most Fridays.16/ matters magazine / spring 2025'