As the weather warms and the days lengthen, now is the time to start biking. Many have thought of biking around in a park, taking in the scenery and sunlight. Fewer students, however, have committed to biking to school. It is both thrilling and healthy, so more people should take advantage of the warm spring weather and try it out.
Most students at Boston Latin School spend the day seated, whether on their commute or in classrooms. Biking challenges people to integrate exercise into their busy weekdays. Alex Jaffe (II) notes, “I think [biking is] a great way to get both [exercise and sunlight].”
Improved mental health is another benefit of biking because it catalyzes the release of “feel good” hormone—endorphins, which relax the mind. This supports better concentration in school and slows down the hustle and bustle of modern society.
Biking to school also helps in the fight against climate change, as every person on a bike means another person out of a car. BLS YouthCAN President Gretchen Curran (I) echoes this message: “Promoting the idea of biking and [the usage of] bike stands outside the school could incentivize students [to reduce emissions].”
Biking, aside from benefiting the environment, assists students in becoming independent and improves road awareness. Rayne Valentine (V) explains, “Easing into traffic laws with a bike or less risky vehicle would definitely benefit students in the long run before getting their own car.” Biking teaches students to be aware of their surroundings and how to travel around the city by themselves. It provides an introduction to the rules of the road, strengthening students’ ability to travel if they decide to get a car later in life.
People may be concerned about the feasibility and safety of biking to school in this car-heavy society, but there are ways to help. People can get BlueBike subscriptions for 133.50 dollars annually if they do not have their own bikes. Many public modes of transportation like MBTA buses also allow bikes on them in some form, reducing the risk for potential accidents. BLS science teacher Mr. Aaron Osowiecki remarks that students can “take a BlueBike, then leave and park it and get another BlueBike.”
Boston also has safety regulations for biking, such as requiring lights in the front and rear of a bike. This improves visibility at night, mitigating the probability of being hit by a car. Boston has additionally added bike lanes throughout the city, dedicating five feet of the road to bikers. Entirely separate bike lanes have been added, with buffers between the bike lane and car lanes. Boston has established many ways to make the roads safer for bikers, so why not start appreciating the city’s hard work by biking to school?
BLS, get a bike and start cycling your way down to 78 Avenue Louis Pasteur! You will certainly be satisfied with the results of this switch.