Newport-Mesa Unified Campus Hosts Bike Bus
Every Tuesday, College Park Elementary students and families ride bikes together to get to the Costa Mesa campus.
The following is a press release from the Newport-Mesa Unified School District and does not reflect editorial work done by Spotlight Schools. Submit a press release to Spotlight Schools by emailing hello@spotlightschools.com.
Every Tuesday morning, a group of College Park Elementary students and families make their way through the neighborhood on bicycles. Students join along the route, growing the group as it travels toward school.
It’s College Park’s Bike Bus, a weekly ride that brings students, parents, and neighbors together before the school day begins. Much like a traditional school bus, the Bike Bus follows an established route, but instead of climbing aboard a bus, students hop on their bicycles and join the group. The approximately one-mile ride takes place rain or shine.
“My favorite part of the Bike Bus is being with everyone. I’ve made new friends, too,” said third-grader Emily.
The Bike Bus community makes sure every student who wants to participate has access to a bicycle and helmet.
“Neighborhood schools give us the chance to walk and ride bikes to school,” said Bike Bus founder and College Park parent Kohl Creccelius. “It helps us get to know our neighbors and teaches kids so many incredible things, like how to navigate intersections, ride on the right, use signals for turns, and how to make connections.”
Parents ride alongside their children, meet neighbors, and welcome new families into the group. “I’ve met so many parents by being a part of the Bike Bus,” said College Park parent Lauren, who joined because she liked the idea of students traveling safely with friends while building independence.
The experience reflects NMUSD’s Strategic Plan commitment to foster safe and welcoming school communities.
“The Bike Bus is a wonderful example of what makes College Park such a special community,” Principal Alice Formaneck said. “It brings students and families together, strengthens relationships, and gives our children another way to feel connected to the school and one another.”
By the time the group rolls onto campus, where donuts await the riders, students have already spent part of their morning talking, laughing, and traveling alongside friends and neighbors. It’s a simple Tuesday-morning tradition that brings the College Park community together, one ride at a time.