Riding to school sounds like a great idea. It lets the kids get exercise and is supposed to help increase mental sharpness.

When I was a kid, there was no way we could have walked or ridden a bicycle between home and school. Our school was several miles away; much of the route had no shoulders; and there was heavy traffic besides. We had to ride an overcrowded school bus, which was not fun at all.

I hope kids these days have a better chance riding a bicycle to school. How can you help your child become a bicycle commuter?

Get the right size bicycle. Get a helmet. Check to see whether your child\’s school has a bicycling safety program, or look for a bicycle rodeo in your area. Don\’t forget lights, and some kind of reflective equipment is also a good idea. These days it\’s essential to lock up your bike anywhere you go, so don\’t forget about that.

Then there\’s choosing the route. If the most direct route has too much traffic, is there an alternate one that is less traveled? Even if it\’s longer, it might be wiser to use it.

Finally, if you yourself are a regular bicycle commuter, you\’re able to set a good example for your children. School isn\’t the only place for learning.