Ride to school: How enabling micromobility leads to healthier and happier students & teachers

A two-wheeled future isn't very far away!

Every day, millions of students and teachers make their way to campuses across Europe. With additional government investments in safer biking infrastructure in the coming years, the number of school trips on two wheels is only expected to increase as students, families, and staff chose healthier options. E-bikes and other micromobility vehicles are perfectly suited to replace trips typically made by car.

In many places they already do!

Cities such as Barcelona, Amsterdam, Brussels, Frankfurt and Paris have already shown the value of travelling to school on bike, where there are now an estimated 470 bicibus's. These large groups of students, parents and staff travelling to school via bike are just one example of the growing demand for alternate transportation. And as e-bike sales remain near record highs, expect to see even more staff and students will be making trips to campuses on two wheels. Enabling micromobility leads to healthier and happier students & teachers, so now is the time take action.

Here is why enabling e-bikes and micromobility should be a focus.

Building healthy habits

The use of e-bikes encourages physical activity among students, contributing to their overall health and well-being. This is particularly important in a time where youth inactivity is becoming a growing problem. A University of Eastern Finland study suggests that adolescents who engage in active school transport and leisure-time physical activity perform better than their inactive peers. There is also a clear link between physical activity and happiness for adults (teachers).

Sustainability and environmental friendliness

Our children's lives will be heavily shaped by climate change. Not only do schools have a responsibility to educate on sustainability, but to also demonstrate best practices. An ITDP study found that, "if the mode share for e-bikes rises to 11%, we could see a 7% decrease in CO2 emissions from the urban transport sector by 2030, which is equivalent to taking 134 million cars off the road." By incorporating e-bikes into the transportation options of schools, institutions can reduce their carbon footprint and play an active role in environmental conservation.

Accessibility and inclusivity

The Dutch BSO bus is a common electric vehicle at many early education institutions.

E-bikes provide more options for staff and students who live farther away from school to travel. They are also beneficial for those who may not have the physical condition to travel long distances. This promotes a more inclusive school environment where everyone has equal opportunities to participate in school life without relying on a car.

Cost savings

In the long term, e-bikes can be cost-effective for both students, staff and schools. By reducing the need for motorized transportation, everyone saves on fuel and maintenance costs. Additionally, subsidies and government support for green initiatives can assist with the purchase of e-bikes and the charging infrastructure they need.

The integration of e-bikes and other micromobility vehicles into our education systems offers a range of benefits for both the school community and the environment. By enabling greener transportation, schools can take a leadership role in promoting sustainability, strengthen inclusivity, save costs, and making happier and healthier students and teachers. As school administrators, now is the ideal time to embrace this technology and set an example for future generations.

There is a clear opportunity for safe e-bike battery charging at all education institutions. If you'd like to learn how our lockers can protect against fires while supporting sustainable transportation, please get in touch with us today.