How to Safely Plan for Back to School Travel

A Commentary by Sue Baldauf and Carla Olson

Editor’s Note: The Kindergarten Bus Run is scheduled for Wednesday, August 15 at Davis School

Planning for back-to-school travel after the usually more leisurely two months of summer can be distressing for parents, especially as children get older, move up to different schools, and want more independence. Bedford is fortunate to provide free school bus transportation for all grades, and that is a preferred way for students of all ages to travel to school to save on gas and congestion in town and at the schools. Navigating the school bus will be of increasing benefit to them as they mature and become more self-sufficient.

As kids age, they may become more confident and prefer to make decisions for themselves and bike or walk to school on their own or with friends. Toca Magazine talked to parents whose middle-schoolers regularly ride Bay Area Rapid Transit in the San Francisco Bay Area and Capital Metro in Austin to get some tips on getting kids ready to travel on their own, which we have adapted below for travel in Bedford.

Start by walking or biking the route kids will be taking. After a few trials, just remain quiet and let them initiate everything with you following along. Then when you are both comfortable, let them go it alone.
Buddy up. On those companion rides, see if other kids or classmates may be on the same route and let them pair or group up to travel together.
Keep it simple and safe. If a route doesn’t feel safe to you or the connections are too complicated, have kids figure out an alternate, safer route. Alternatively, consider driving the unsafe part of the commute, park the car, and walk the remainder.
Remind kids to stay aware. Tell them not to put in both earbuds or look down at the phone constantly. They should look around and be alert.
Let kids practice with orientation, directions, and decision-making. “Our kids lead us on our vacation travels through various world transit systems.” — Jeff Songster, Oakland
Register your kids for the DASH, Bedford’s pilot door to door shuttle. Consider purchasing the 20-ride prepaid ticket book so students will have an option for alternative transit and won’t have to rely on having cash.
Have a plan. If someone or a situation doesn’t seem right, have them call you and/or walk to a public place with lots of people around. Some families elect to have a Plan B at all times, such as walking to the public library or a trusted neighbor’s home. Let kids know that they could go to a bus driver or store owner if there are any problems.
Talk to your kids openly and listen to their concerns. One parent said, “Keep your lines of communication open, discuss your child’s fears in depth — no judgment as to real or imagined fears.”
Teach them to trust their gut. If something doesn’t feel right or safe, move away or get help.
Trust your kids. Empower them to make decisions so they are comfortable thinking and acting independently.

For other ideas about how to safely help your children get to and from school, check out the Healthy Bedford Safe Routes to School webpage https://www.bedfordma.gov/healthy-bedford/pages/safe-routes-to-school or the Grist website about the benefits of public transportation https://grist.org/article/2010-11-01-why-public-transportation-is-good-for-kids/ Register yourself and your child/ren for the DASH at www.bedforddash.com

Keeping the Peace is sponsored by the Violence Prevention Coalition of Bedford, a representative group of citizens interested in ending violence in families, communities, and beyond. Sue Baldauf is Director of Bedford Youth and Family Services, a constituent member of VPC, and compiled this article in conjunction with Healthy Communities Coordinator Carla Olson.

The VPC meets the first Tuesday of every other month at 8:00 a.m. at First Church of Christ Congregational, 25 the Great Road, Bedford. For more information call 781/275-7951.