Supporting Regional Bike Buses in Atlanta
The Georgia Commute Schools (GCS) Bike Bus Program is a regional initiative designed to empower school communities across 20 metro Atlanta counties to shift toward healthier, cleaner, and more sustainable travel. Developed through close collaboration with local bike bus leaders, the program reduces the burden on families by offering a comprehensive how-to toolkit, which includes talking points for school administrators, ready-to-send PTA emails, supply lists, and safety guidance, allowing bike bus champions to launch or grow quickly and confidently.
In just its first year, the GCS Bike Bus Program has supported the growth or development of 12 bike buses, with several already operating regularly. Participation continues to grow, with some routes seeing 30-50 student cyclists per bike bus day, representing upward of 50+ vehicle miles traveled (VMT) reduced per school per day, plus greenhouse gas reductions around schools from fewer cars in the drop-off line. As these routes scale in frequency and reach, schools are observing meaningful mode shift from single-occupancy vehicle drop-off to active transportation, contributing to measurable reductions in congestion and idling around school campuses.
Through safety-item distributions, communications materials, and the growing GCS Bike Bus Coalition, which brings national mode-shift experts together to inspire and educate families, the program has engaged dozens of students and parents, introducing many as first-time active commuters.
Families report powerful impacts: increased student confidence, stronger community connections, and improved readiness to learn.
As one parent shared, “Once the kids show their parents they can do it, it encourages other families to get out and get better at biking!”
The GCS Bike Bus Program is building a healthier, more sustainable school commute, one joyful ride at a time.