Across Michigan, more and more students are moving from remote learning to face-to-face classes for the first time since mid-March. The shift back to the classroom has a lot more impact on traffic than you might think, and it’s worth making sure we get back to school safely. 

The pandemic has turned education into yet another area of strong debate on safety and viability. Different school districts in different parts of the state and different parts of the country with a wide variety of formats. From totally virtual learning to totally in-person, and many variations in between. 

For those getting back to school, however, the commute to class remains a challenging one. Some parents are hesitant to put their students on cramped, crowded buses that may expose them to a wider number of students than their normal peers. Many aren’t able to join the long car lines, either. More and more families are relying on safe cycling to get their kids to school. 

This isn’t a concern or issue that belongs to parents alone. All cyclists, and indeed all road users, bear responsibility for ensuring that the roads are safe for everyone. Traffic increases by approximately 20% when school is in session. Combine that with shorter days, dark mornings and evenings, bad weather, fog, and more people commuting, and it’s easy to see how commuting might be perceived as dangerous. 

For Cyclists:

• Wear bright colored clothing and consider using reflective strips of fabric on helmets, backpacks, or on the bike

• Rely on lights, not just reflectors

• Choose a route that is well-lit, not busy, and features dedicated bike paths or bike lanes wherever possible

• Form ‘bike buses’ to find safety in neighbors; work with other parents to coordinate a place for kids to meet and then ride to school together. Consider having parents take turns riding with the kids to school in the morning and afternoon

For Drivers:

• Expect more traffic and more delays with school in session. Give yourself five to ten more minutes to make your commute

• Avoid driving through neighborhoods with schools when possible. Plan on driving a few blocks away from schools to avoid back-ups

• Watch for students on bikes and on foot at intersections and don’t expect them to know to stop

• Be extra cautious around bus stops, even before and after the bus has left. Kids may dart out into the road unexpectedly

• Learn the arrival and dismissal times of schools along your route so you know when to expect more traffic and more pedestrians