Toga Safe to School Bike Bus Kicks Off

 On Friday May 1, students at Caroline Street, Lake Ave, and Division Street Elementary Schools hopped on their bikes and pedaled into school with the Toga Bike Bus. Last year, after seeing how much fun students had when biking to school at Lake Avenue’s Bike to School Day a group of moms got together to brainstorm how to make it a regular thing… and Toga Safe to School was formed. Now the group is growing their Bike Bus to include more routes, schools, and most importantly, more kids on bikes! 

“At the end of the 2025 school year we had four routes for Lake Avenue and a small route at Caroline Street, now we have officially added two Caroline Street and one Division Street routes as well,” Maddy Zanetti said. “We are working to get a route for Geyser, and if there are other schools interested and we can the volunteers we will make it happen.” 

What is a Bike Bus? It is simple! A group of students who cycle to school together along a set route with designated stops/times and adult supervision. Bike buses promote a healthy lifestyle as well as community engagement and reduces traffic. It is a way to teach bike safety to both riders and drivers plus advocates for mixed use paths, safer roadways, and a more bike friendly city. 

Katie Roque says “The Bike Bus is a way to give our kids a piece of childhood that many of us remember. It empowers kids to get themselves to school in a healthy, active way, while also building a sense of community. We are lucky to join the ride! It’s something simple, but deeply meaningful.” 

Toga Safe to School has been incredibly fortunate to have the support of Bikeatoga, a non-profit dedicated to “pedaling toward a brighter future… by making functional cycling more convenient, accessible, and safe for all members of our community.” Riders from Bikeatoga have been present each ride to lead, trail, advise, and provide minor bike fixes. The Bikeatoga group has helped build awareness and given the Toga Safe to School crew invaluable advice. 

“The Bike Bus has been a great way to bond with my girls and do something fun with them without the modern-day distractions like being on my phone. And I have to get them to school safely anyway, so it might as well be fun!” said Lindley Hickox 

Bicycle Benefits, Stewarts Shops, and Trek Saratoga have donated coupons and prizes for riders. While local businesses and families have made donations that were used to buy lawn signs that you may have seen popping up around town reminding drivers “WHOA… SLOW DOWN”. The signs were first meant to mark only the Bike Bus routes but after many requests from people all over the community they are showing up wherever people feel cars need to hit the brakes. 

“I joined the Bike Bus because I want kids to experience the fun and freedom of life on two wheels,” Erin Crowe Conklin said “I envision my kids growing up and biking all around Saratoga Springs – to school, the park, library, downtown, the list goes on!”

To check out the current routes visit TogaSafeToSchool.com where you can see the times, routes, and other Bike Bus information. There is no RSVPing needed, if you see a stop on a route that works for your student and schedule hop in on Fridays!