PRM Bike Bus Brings Students and Community Together

Every Friday morning, Pleasant Ridge Montessori students, families, staff and neighbors gather before school for a shared ride to school through the community.

The PTO-sponsored Bike Bus began in April 2026. The program gives students and parents a chance to ride to school with friends while creating opportunities for exercise, connection and community.

Participants meet at 6:50 a.m. and leave at 7 a.m. Three different routes allow members of the school community to join from different starting points and choose a route that fits their abilities.

The Bike Bus typically includes about 35 children and at least 15 adults each Friday. Organizers said they have been pleasantly surprised by the number of people who want to participate, including neighbors who do not have children at PRM.

“It has been wonderful to see the community rally around this weekly event,” organizer and parent Lauren Farquhar said.

For students, the ride is more than a way to get to school. Riding together gives them opportunities to practice biking skills, endurance, responsibility and cooperation while learning how to travel safely as a group. Students also build confidence and develop an awareness of the people around them.

The Bike Bus also provides students and families with a chance to build relationships outside the classroom. Participants can meet neighbors, make new friends and spend time together before the school day begins.

“The main reason it was created was that it's a very fun way for kids and parents to travel to school and spend time with friends! But there are many other benefits,” Farquhar said.

She said there have been several memorable moments since the Bike Bus began but students and families always enjoy seeing Principal Simpson arrive on her bike.

The program reflects PRM's focus on student well-being and community connection. By beginning the school day together, the Bike Bus turns a trip to school into a weekly community experience — one that brings students, families, staff and neighbors together on the road to PRM.