Treehugger - Latest Comments in Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Forest — Sun, 08 Jun 2008 02:28:44 -0000

I find it hard to believe that issuing a bike rack for student bikes will lead to a law suit. This argument would be similar to we offer parking spaces so if someone is in a car accident the school should be sued.

The people responsible would be the driver of the car. What kind on nonsense is this argument? If those bikes do get taken by the administration it is time to call the police because that is stealing. I am more than likely a bit jaded due to growing up in Oregon where bikes seem to be more respected than most areas I have visited.

-Forest

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Ride Yer Bike — Fri, 30 May 2008 03:12:07 -0000

Maybe the principal might listen if you u-lock yourselves in the principals office until he allows a bike rack and supports cycling. Just put a u-lock around your neck and attach it either to other protesters or to stationary object in his office and make sure a friend has the keys. What this will do is either make him allow the bike rack or take the extreme risk of cutting students out of a u-lock around their neck which most people wouldn't do and usually you can win, sure their is a chance you could get in trouble but then again if the principal chooses the latter option he will most surely be fired and if you win and he does give you trouble I am sure other students will support you and parents will complain and the trouble will be dropped! Much luck to the students assuming they read this and if anyone has any contact with the students they should send them this.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Mark Pavilch — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:46:40 -0000

My home town!

Wow!

I used to attend Bridgewater-Raritan and we used to bike to school all the time. Garretson Road is not nearly as unsafe as the principal makes it out to be. It is possible to bike to the school from almost anywhere on the west side of the district. We didn't lock up our bikes then, but that was 10 years ago. It would actually have been very safe if the students did not drive (I was a horrible driver when I was a senior - as were most of my friends).

We actually HAD to bike because there was no other way to get home from basketball practice (there was a late bus but our practices almost always went too late). The winter was tough, but manageable most of the time.

The principal should really be ashamed of himself. I was recently back at school and I saw how big those kids were. It is amazing to see the youth in my town getting so out of shape. I graduated 10 years ago and I cannot believe what has happened to the health of students in my home town.

We also had multiple severe injuries (and I think 2 deaths) from students in car accidents when I was there.

To students at Bridgewater-Raritan - At least one alumnus is with you!

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Sairen — Fri, 16 May 2008 14:45:15 -0000

My email [sent to the principal, CC to the super]

Dear Mr. Riccobono,

I'm sure this isn't the first email of this type you've received from a stranger today. In case no one has directed it to you before, here is a link to the article that has brought you so much attention.

First of all, let me please reassure you that I do appreciate the difficult position that you're in. My husband is a high school teacher, so I sympathize with your difficulties and concerns in encouraging biking to campus. Further, I recognize the danger inherent in being a cyclist - youth or not. In a recent survey, my hometown of Kansas City was ranked 50th of 50 for bicycle friendliness. Still, many students do choose use a bike to get to school, and many adults use a bike to get to work.

If you have not already (I know that a random feed on the Internet is not always the best place to get the whole story!), I would encourage you to reconsider your decision to not allow the students of the environmental club to donate a bike rack to the school.

Your rationale that the nearby roadway is unsafe is a reasonable response, but it is, perhaps, a short-sighted one. I'm sure you're aware of the mortality statistics for young drivers. One might equally well argue that building a large parking lot on school grounds only encourages teenage driving, which is surely dangerous. Students, one might continue to argue, ought to elect to use the bus or be transported by a parent or other adult. We do, though, make driving a personal vehicle an option for students, and we do encourage it by providing parking, vehicle parking passes, etc - whatever your district is able to provide. We as adults in a school districts boundaries accept the risks, and the parents, knowing the options that they and their students have, either allow or do not allow their teen to drive to school.

Busing, you rightly point out, is a valid option for students who do not drive, and it should absolutely continue to be an option to students. In these times, though, district resources are tight, and need to be utilized as best as possible. If students within a certain radius of the school would prefer to walk (or ride a bike) to school, this allows bus resources to be used for those further away. Also, the rise of the so-called obesity epidemic makes favoring human-powered transportation such as walking or biking all the more important.

Biking is a healthy activity. It is a non-polluting activity. It also fosters community in the school: I do not know the demographics of your district, but here we see a divide between the wealthier children and those who live closer to our inner core. Biking is an egalitarian activity. A bicycle is inexpensive, and promoting biking means that poorer students suffer less of a stigma if they cannot afford their own car. Finally, providing bicycle parking allows students and their parents to have additional choices for transportation. The conversations that these families have regarding the students' means of getting to school ultimately promote the sense of personal responsibility that a student takes away from their adolescence, which is of course the main goal of these years of their lives.

Of course we fear for the safety of young people who are, however briefly, under our care. But these students, from my understanding of the situation, have demonstrated exceptional pride in their community, organization, and responsibility. Allowing them to donate a bicycle rack to the school would be a suitable reward for their hard work, and a signal of expanding options and choice that parents and students have available to them.

If the information contained in the linked article was inaccurate, I sincerely apologize to you for this email; it was written in good faith.

Cordially yours, ...

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

BradyDale — Thu, 15 May 2008 14:15:06 -0000

I can't even begin to articulate how infuriated I am about this. It's so awful. I wouldn't be surprised if the road really isn't that dangerous anyway. I never cease to be amazed at how chicken people who don't ride bikes are. I hope the students don't stop.

The principle probably just doesn't like cyclists on the road and is using this issue as a way to make an issue of it. I've never heard of a school without a bike rack.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

matt — Thu, 15 May 2008 12:00:25 -0000

I want to throw up.

I (don't) enjoy people just blabbing about how they know something when they truly do not.

The more I know, the more I wish I didn't.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Anne — Wed, 14 May 2008 16:51:43 -0000

If it's anything like it was at my HS, I bet Garrison Rd. gets safer the fewer students/parents are driving to school.

Oh, and streets are wonderful for bikers. It's the drivers you have to watch out for.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

PJ Rossi — Wed, 14 May 2008 14:35:05 -0000

I live in this town and the roads around the school aren't safe for bike riding. The school lies between 3 major highways, right next to an office industrial park and all of the cars racing through the area in the morning are commuters trying to get to work.

I understand this Principal's concern for the safety of the students - this is why all of the students in the town are bused. With the exception of a few of the schools in our town, most of the schools are next to busy roads - not in neighborhoods. And the town continues to build and build and build.

I currently have 2 young children and I would be hesitant to let them bike to school unless there was no other form of transportation.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Pieter — Wed, 14 May 2008 07:31:03 -0000

Wow, what a contrast. In the Netherlands it is very standard to cycle to school. Even children on ground schools cycle to school (if they don't live on walking distance.). First together with a parent, but from a fairly early age (about 9 years) they cycle in small groups, mostly together with some older children. But, as mentioned before, cyclists are not a marginal minority on the Dutch roads, so car drives take care. Because we had bicycles long before we had cars, the important role of cyclists in traffic is self-evident for us. In your country this position has to conquered, step-by-step. In this case I hope the students and the school board can together convince the authorities to make the road saver for children on bikes and on foot. Bikepaths, speedhumps, tunnels (for crossing the road), traffic lights: the possibilities are countless.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Chaos Motor — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:42:57 -0000

Its not about students. Its not about education. It's not about safety. Its about demonstrating to the populace that they are not in control, are not significant, that their concerns go unheeded, they have no recourse, and will not be consulted in any way.

That is, it's an indoctrination in quietly accepting tyranny at every level without cause, guise, or explanation.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Larry Lindsey — Tue, 13 May 2008 18:18:50 -0000

Well, this takes me back to late '60's / early 70's. Our collective eco-conscience had us riding our ten-speeds to wherever we needed to be in Memphis. I could be across town in less time than I could drive it. The traffic was awful...it's worst now!

Bicycling is part of the solution in the city. To disagree is to have a "frial grasp on the big picture". Encourage bicycling to school. It makes good sense. What are the safety issues. At my high school, there was three, three-story classroom buildings, only teacher parking and about 12 bike racks. They held twenty bikes each! They were all full on good weather days and mostly full on foul weather days.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

terry jennings — Tue, 13 May 2008 16:20:27 -0000

I'm amazed at how narrow-minded we are any more. I've read most of the comments on this subject and have derived one thing: we've become protestors instead of collaborators. Why is it the "in" thing to go headlong at "the establishment" with protests when you don't get your way? Anybody ever think of actually working together to solve an impass? I saw some mention of getting parents and the city involved. Sounds like that would be a better move than blaming the super for being a hard-nosed idiot. Consider the fact that the school doesn't own the streets, aren't "really" responsible for anything that happens off school property, nor can they alone control what the city does for street safety. That's what "citizens" are supposed to be doing....and, yeah, the school is a part of that process, but not by themselves. We need to stop thinking in terms of "someone else needs to fix the problem" and become a group of problem solvers, working together....and stop teaching our children to protest. Instead, show them how to become involved in the change and decision making process as active "supporters".

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Des — Tue, 13 May 2008 00:06:05 -0000

They should attach motors to their bikes, like a leaf blower, chainsaw, or weedwacker. Thus making it a moped of sorts.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

dms — Mon, 12 May 2008 14:10:28 -0000

my email

Dear Principal James Riccobono,

I support the students who would like to bike to school. I drove to school in high school and regret it. As an environmental consultant with Earth Tech, Inc. (daniel.sheehan at EarthTech dot com) and as a citizen who bikes or walks to work I find it appalling that your organization will not find ways to work with the students and local highway authorities to improve the transportation conditions.

The students clearly demonstrated excellence in their ability to organize and due diligence and I applaud your school district for educating the youth so that they exercise democracy and care about the environment.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Bailey — Mon, 12 May 2008 13:06:13 -0000

John T. great point but you left out one more example. If the school promotes driving a personal vehichle to school (by providing parking space) then wouldn't they be held liable if a kid got in an accident? How is this any different than providing a place to lock up your bike and then being held responsible for kids riding to school? And if they are being held liable for car accidents how can they afford it? When I was in high school there were only a couple of fatal accidents a year but fender benders, heck fender benders on school property, were an every to every other week occurence.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

MattM — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:56:14 -0000

Nothing I read in that article said that the principle is not allowing the kids to bike to school. He just said he didn't want to promote cycling because of safety concerns. Under this logic he should also remove all student parking because that is promoting driving and we all know that driving is dangerous.

Furthermore does anyone know of a lawsuit where a high school was held liable for a student crashing their car off of school grounds? How would a bike be any different? The street closest to the school in the article might not be the best for bicycles and (impatient or late) teen-aged drivers but if they choose they could keep riding to school and locking their bikes on the lamp posts. Most traffic laws in this country say that bikes are only excluded from certain streets (usually highways, on ramps and bridges without shoulders) so a long as this street does not strictly prohibit bicycles they should be fine.

___________

Side note:

The middle school that I went to wouldn't allow my friend to walk literary across the road (with a sidewalk and crosswalk) to get to his house. Instead he was forced to either ride the bus in a giant 30 minute loop (he was the last stop) or risk detention and sneak home.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

L.J. Williamson — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:46:13 -0000

This story makes me want to sob. I'm facing an almost identical situation with my son's elementary school; the district (LAUSD) passed a measure that requires all new schools to have bike racks, but still allows principals to ignore their pro-bike intent by forbidding cycling -- even with parental escort. Since when is it a school's business to dictate the form of transportation used to get to and from school? That is the students' and parents' decision, and for the school to attempt to dictate transportation choices is draconian and overreaching. I'm depressed by this because I'm learning how widespread identical problems to the one that I'm facing are.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

brennan — Mon, 12 May 2008 12:29:31 -0000

Wow, this situation is an embarrassment not only for that principal, but for the city involved (New Jersey?).

What ignorant idiots.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

kgovers — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:23:44 -0000

If the roads around the school are as unsafe as the principal alledges it is high time for a police crackdown. Post police cruisers, increase the patrols and nail motorists for a few weeks with everything that contributes to the unsafe road conditions. It won't take long for motorist to change their behaviour when it starts costing money.

It is the principal who needs to initiate this. Afterall if the street is unsafe for cyclists, it is equally unsafe for school buses and people walking to school.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Trivia Mania — Mon, 12 May 2008 09:20:23 -0000

Can't ride a bike? Is there anything legal left to do in this country???

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

John Taylor — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:37:21 -0000

Talk about insane spin doctoring!

If the school promotes cycling, and a kid is killed on the road, then the school can be held liable.

By that same rationale,

If the school promotes walking, and a kid is killed on the road, then the school can be held liable.

If the school promotes busing, and a kid is killed on the bus, then the school can be held liable.

If the principal wanted to mitigate legal exposure, he should petition the city to address the unsafe road situation and teach biking/walking/busing safety in his school.

After all, a school is about education, and he is teaching kids to be wasteful oil consumers.

Kudos to the bike kids in the environmental club who are learning how to fight back effectively.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Jason Hall — Mon, 12 May 2008 08:24:15 -0000

Thank you for beinging this situation to our awareness. It is really inspiring to remember that adults are not always right.

Go students !!! ...for standing behind what you believe.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Alexander López — Mon, 12 May 2008 03:45:24 -0000

This is awesome. A school that encourages kids not to be inventive, knowledgeable, and socially conscious!! What is wrong there? What do the parents think about this?

Please keep us informed. Meanwhile, I'll be dropping another e-mail into the principal's address.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Eric — Sun, 11 May 2008 22:41:06 -0000

The principal does not care about the price of gas - if the cost of buses increases, they'll simply raise property taxes. It's good that these kids are involved, maybe their parents (who actually pay the property taxes) will get more involved in the school district.

Re: Young Environmentalists Protest Anti-Bicycle Policy At Their High School

Stephanie - Green at Home Mom — Sun, 11 May 2008 20:56:45 -0000

This just seems nuts to me. My daughter's elementary school just had new bike racks put in. They allow 3rd grade and up to ride bikes to school. I would think high school students would be responsible enough.