At Beach School, biking and walking makes a stronger community

Beach principal Tom Breuckman.(Photos © J. Maus) The first thing you notice upon walking into the main entrance if Beach School in north Portland is a Safe Routes to School map with a listing of locations and times for catching a bike train. The placement of that map isn’t an accident. This is a school … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Conference will help schools get on the bike train

Get on the bike train!(Photo © J. Maus) Remember back in May when I happened upon the Beach Elementary School bike train? Now, a former volunteer intern with the City of Portland’s Safe Routes to Schools program is organizing the first-ever Portland Bike Train Conference. Recent college grad Kiel Johnson says he helped get the … Read more


Once prohibited, biking now a big part of Beach School

[This story was written by BikePortland contributor and Beach School parent, Chris Sullivan] The Bike Fairy greeted kids at Beach School on Friday.(Photos: Chris Sullivan) A few years ago, bikes were forbidden at Beach School in North Portland. Here’s a snip from the school’s 2002-03 family handbook: “Bicycles, Skateboards, Roller Skates, etc… Due to the … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

State awards $495,000 grant for PBOT’s Safe Routes program

New funds will install crosswalks and other improvements.(Photo © J. Maus) The Portland Bureau of Transportation has just announced that their Safe Routes to School program has received a $495,000 grant from the Oregon Department of Transportation to build engineering improvements at seven local elementary and K-8 schools. In a press release, PBOT Safe Routes … Read more


Buffered Bike Lane with a bike symbol and arrow pointing forward

Will Mrs. Obama’s obesity focus boost Safe Routes to School efforts?

Michelle Obama could help bring Safe Routes to Schools to the table.(Photo: White House on Flickr) America has a long legacy of First Ladies who have used their diplomatic profile to further specific causes, so I was very pleased to learn that Michelle Obama’s focus would be obesity. Anyone who has spent time in the … Read more