Often you don't have to deal with it until your child starts secondary school. Or, if you're lucky, even when they start college. But some people have to think about it already during primary school. What kind of transport to school do you choose if the school in question is not around the corner? The age of your child is of course very decisive. But also important:how do mom and dad actually feel about it? And above all:what is safe?
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Since we moved ourselves, the distance to school for both our children has increased a bit. Not that you need a car… But just far enough to feel sorry for them when it pours rain. And then, as a parent, you sometimes want to run your hand over your heart and drop them off neatly at the school gate. It is striking that Luc keeps a close eye on rainfall radar nowadays. And every other weather site that predicts rain was not allowed to do so. “Mom, it's going to rain this afternoon…!”
As long as the distance is not too great, and the rain is not too heavy, your children will of course be ready to take themselves to school at some point. But what kind of transport do you choose for that way to school? We are going to talk about the possibilities, and their advantages and disadvantages. But we are also very curious:how did you arrange transport to school?
In my own school days (about 300 years ago), it was simple. “You take the bike”, was more or less the life motto of my father. There weren't many other options either. Under normal circumstances, I still agree with him. Yet, as I have already described, the weather plays a major influence on that point of view. And moreover:sometimes the distance to (secondary) school is so great that cycling may no longer be an option at all. Then you can look at the following options.
Is the distance to school too far to choose a regular bicycle as transport? But is it not yet so far that 4 wheels necessarily need to be used? Then an electric bicycle can offer a solution. They still get their movement, but are able to travel greater distances. It is a very sustainable means of transport, and therefore a great alternative to more polluting forms of transport.
Of course, there are not only advantages to the electric bicycle. The biggest downside? Again that annoying Dutch weather. My son now has access to my electric ladies bike, but still whines just as loudly when a rain shower is predicted. And if it rains really hard? I don't think that is a problem for the way back, but if they have to go, my mother instinct starts to complain when he has to cycle through… Electric or not.
As a mother, you often think of 2 things when you think of a scooter. Firstly, that often involves refueling, and secondly:is it safe? On the other hand, to a large extent raising is learning to let go. It started with learning to ride a bike, but at some point they want a scooter. And that can also be a very ideal transport for school.
Of course your children have to be old enough for it. When they are 15.5 they can start their theory. Once they have received these, they can start practical lessons from the age of 16. Luc is almost there and will probably go to Veghel for his further education, so who knows, this might be something. And let's face it… the scooter below is a picture!
Did you know that nowadays a scooter doesn't have to be polluting anymore? You can also go for an electric scooter. At La Souris Scooters they sell 100% electric scooters. Sustainable driving and transport to school! And that sounds good, but that's what the copy that Luc has in mind looks anything but. Nice step to the Harleys in our warehouse 😉 .
Okay, back to the business of the day… that electric scooter might be something. But there is of course another form of transport to school that should not be missing from this list. The bus! Who hasn't grown up in it, I would almost say. When I went to study in Eindhoven myself, I took the bus every day. By the way, I was a few years older then, but it is excellent transport, even for the younger kids.
Tell me, how does your child travel to school? Or which transport would you choose if the distance (and your child) becomes large?
