May 2026

On a foggy spring morning in Teaneck, New Jersey, something exciting was happening. On Thursday, April 23, 2026, a group of middle school students gathered outside Bryant Elementary School with their bikes, helmets, and backpacks, ready for a new kind of school commute.

Escorted by two Teaneck Police patrol vehicles and a motorcycle officer, the students rode together to Benjamin Franklin Middle School as part of Teaneck’s first-ever Bike Bus.

Joining the students on the ride were Principal Williams, Vice Principal Jacobs, and three EZ Ride staff members. District Superintendent Dr. Andre Spencer and Ms. Connie Le were also there to cheer the students on at the starting line, highlighting the district’s strong support for the initiative.

The students are now part of a growing movement happening across the country: the Bike Bus.

So, what is a Bike Bus?

A Bike Bus is a group ride to school led by adults along a planned route with designated “stops” where additional students can join in along the way. It’s a fun, healthy, and community-centered alternative to traditional school transportation. Bike Bus programs have gained popularity in cities such as Portland, Oregon; Barcelona, Spain; and nearby New Jersey communities including Montclair and South Orange/Maplewood. Their growth reflects increasing interest in safer, more active ways for students to get to school.

“There was a small percentage of students who struggled with getting to school on time. We didn’t want transportation to be an obstacle to a child getting an education, so we reached out to EZ Ride to see if a bike donation was possible. We are so grateful for their partnership. I also live in town and thought it would be a fun way to connect with students and build community as we ride together to school.” — Mrs. Jahari Jacobs, Assistant Principal, Benjamin Franklin and Thomas Jefferson Middle Schools

In the week leading up to the ride, EZ Ride hosted a hands-on bicycle safety class where students learned essential riding skills, including the ABC bike check, proper helmet fitting, starting and stopping safely, hand signaling, scanning for traffic, crossing intersections, group riding techniques, New Jersey traffic laws, and the rules of the road. Two students also received donated bikes and helmets. By the time Bike Bus day arrived, everyone was ready to ride.

For the students who participated, the experience was both exciting and empowering. Riding together with support from school staff, community leaders, and local law enforcement allowed students to experience their neighborhood in a new way – one pedal at a time.

The Benjamin Franklin Middle School Bike Bus is scheduled to continue every other week, giving even more students the opportunity to participate.

The launch of the Bike Bus comes at a perfect time. Governor Mikie Sherrill has proclaimed May as Bike Month and New Jersey Walk and Bike to School Month. In addition, May 6 marks National Bike & Roll to School Day, and May 11–15 is recognized as Bike to Work Week – all excellent opportunities to celebrate the benefits of biking.

Through its Spokes4Students program, EZ Ride can provide Bike Bus training, new helmets, and refurbished bicycles to students in need. For more information, email [email protected] or call (201) 939-4242, option 3.