I found Coach Balto on TikTok about a year ago. Sam Balto, an elementary school physical education teacher in Portland, Oregon, changed the world for his students. He instilled in them the joy of riding their bikes to school. Bike Bus on Earth Day 2022 would be a gift that keeps on giving beyond that day.
Every Wednesday morning Coach Balto is joined by 100+ students cycling to school. The energized students follow the coach in a fun-filled bike parade to school accompanied by music. It is a magical time for everyone. Â Â Â Â
What Coach Balto and the Bike Bus teach us.
Each of us can change our world. Sam Balto is a young educator. He changed the world for the youth at his elementary school. His ability to look outside the box reached far beyond Portland. He shares his story and helps others start a Bike Bus at other schools. Bike Buses have popped up in communities across the United States.
It takes a community. Take a few minutes and get lost in his TikTok channel. Note what you see. Parents and dogs cycle along with their kids. Neighbors cheer them on. Groups of students join the bus along the route. This is an event the community embraces.
Kids want to have fun. Smiling faces and shouts of joy are the norm for these young cyclists. I loved discovering my world on my Huffy as a child. If only my bus rides were like these. The Bike Bus sets the tone that school and learning are fun.
Ride happy, be happy. The health benefits of the Bike Bus are obvious in the smiling faces and camaraderie. Cach Balto and other administrators have spoken in social media posts about the positive energetic attitude Bike Bussers have during the school day. Starting the day off in a positive energetic way sets the tone for the day.
Look for the Good. Cach Balto and his students are living proof that there is good in this world. It is easy to get caught up in a social media echo chamber that exalts our views and demeans opposing views. Sam Balto broadens our view of the world through a GoPro mounted on an elementary school teacher’s helmet.
Look for the good in everything
Look for the people who will set your soul free
It always seems impossible until it's done
Look for the good in everyone - Jason Mraz
Get on the Bike Bus.
You are never too old to get on the Bike Bus. You may not be able to join a Bike Bus near your home. You can watch Coach Balto’s videos and experience the joy and good. I always feel better about our world and the future lives of our youth with each TikTok. Life lessons are subtly taught by a group of elementary students.
How to start a Bike Bus
Start by exploring Sam Balto’s Bike Bus social media feed. This grassroots effort can make an impact on students, educators, and the community. He shared four things to start with to bring a Bike Bus to your community in a Bike Portland post.
Find another family to do it with.
Make and share a map of the times with everyone.Â
Be consistent. So, families can plan to join.
Just do it, even if it is a few blocks.
Share this interview, TikToks, YouTube videos, and Bike Bus success stories with your friends and neighbors. It only takes a Sam Balto in your community to step up and make a positive change in students’ lives.
Get on the bus!
Tom on the Trails