Praise for parents as the D12 Bike Bus is launched

The D12 Bike Bus is setting the wheels in motion for a more sustainable commute, for parents and children, through South Dublin to Riverview Educate Together N.S. The D12 Bike Bus is a voluntary initiative made up of parents, adult volunteers and children, whom wanted to have a greener start to the day by reducing their dependence on the car for the journey to school. 

The bus operates along an identified route with stops along the way to collect children and their parents. The parents and volunteer marshals, from Dublin Cycling Campaign, act as a barrier between the children and traffic. Marshals are used to control certain crossings and politely ask drivers to yield for the bike bus – the children’s safety is paramount.

The Galway Cycle Bus was the inspiration behind the setting up of the D12 Bike Bus and after many weeks trialling different routes and refining down the timetable the parents, and children, are ready to officially launch the first Bike Bus within the South Dublin County Council jurisdiction.

The aim of the launch is to celebrate their hard work to date; to help raise awareness of their presence on the road and to encourage other parents, or cycling volunteers, to get involved and support the D12 Bike Bus or set up their own Bike Bus

The Bike Bus commences at Iveagh Gardens and travels along the Crumlin Road, Bunting Road, Walkinstown Roundabout, St. Peter’s Road, Mountdown Road and onto Limekiln Road where it terminates at Riverview Educate Together N.S. The journey takes approximately 35 minutes and features 6 stops along the way. The bus currently operates every Friday, but there are plans to extend this and to extend the number of routes as interest and the school population grows. 

If readers reside within the Dublin 12 area and are interested in volunteering for the D12 Bike Bus they can reach out to the school or on Twitter: @D12BikeBus

Aodhán King (D12 Bike Bus Leader) said: "9 children typically ride the Bike Bus each week. That’s about 6 families, so 6 less cars on the road. It also means the accompanying parents can usually cycle onwards to their workplace, thereby enabling further cycled journeys. In terms of safety as well, in the absence of segregated cycle ways, the bike bus provides a safe and protected way for our children to get to school."

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