The Garrison Bike Bus is helping Watson Elementary students get to school safely, as a group.

The bike bus project rolled out last year and it's back this fall, said founder Ricky Federau, a former bike racer and avid cyclist.

"It's amazing. As the weeks progress there are more and more kids," Federau said.

There is technically no "bus" involved in the bike bus project.

Instead the group of cyclists ride together, led by parent volunteers in safety vests. They follow a designated route, a counter-clockwise loop, around the Garrison neighbourhood picking up participants.

The Garrison Bike Bus was inspired by the bike-forward work of Cycle Chilliwack, and is also part of Go By Bike week Sept. 23 to Oct. 6.

Once the young riders join the bike bus the first time, they tend to be more willing to head out en masse the next time.

Getting kids bikes is super important, Federau said.

"They turn into better adults, that's my take. And you create lifelong memories. It's a pretty cool thing."

In the future they might choose to ride their bikes regularly, by choice, as a mode of transport as adults.

The Garrison Bike Bus had such good momentum built up last June, Federau decided to bring it back for fall 2024, especially with good weather with fewer rainy days than in past Septembers.

They started with maybe five kids, and now have more than 30 to 40 joining, weather permitting. There's a Facebook group, Garrison Bike Bus, which has the map, and times they'll be passing by. Stay tuned to their page for updates.

"Overall the kids loved it," Federau said. "It's been a super positive experience for everyone."

The Garrison Bike Bus will run into the first week of October, from Monday to Thursday most weeks, mornings only.

Go By Bike Week local organizer Daphne Clegg praised Federau's leadership.

鈥淚 hope the success of the Bike Bus inspires more school communities to support kids in safely riding their bikes to and from school."