Bike Bus Trial Ride: City Hall to John McCrae Public School

Monday, September 15, 2025
Meet 7:45 AM | Roll out 8:05–8:10 AM
Market Square, City Hall → John McCrae Public School

What’s Happening

On September 15, Guelph takes a first step toward something bigger: showing what it feels like when kids can bike to school safely, joyfully, and together.

This trial ride will be parent-accompanied and supported by GCAT and community volunteers. While not yet a full bike bus with multiple pick-up stops, it is our first glimpse of what’s possible when families ride together.

What is a Bike Bus

In cities around the world, children ride to school in joyful convoys known as bike buses. From Barcelona to Portland to even Waterloo and Elora, these rides are transforming the morning commute into celebrations of freedom, community, and independence.

Bike buses ease congestion, reduce short car trips, make school routes safer, and build lifelong habits of active travel. What other cities have proven, Guelph is previewing: riding together can reshape how we think about moving through our city.

Why Market Square

Market Square is central, welcoming, and easy to reach by bike, bus, or car, making it the perfect place for families across the city to join in the vision of kids arriving at school with confidence and a community beside them.

A Bigger Vision

This ride is part of the international Kidical Mass, School Streets, and Bicibús Action Weeks (September 15 to October 24, 2025). Already, local neighbourhood groups are looking ahead to larger Bike to School Week rides in 2026, and GCAT has been working a few angles to secure grant funding for a wider bike bus program in Guelph.

This is just the beginning. Come ride with us and help spark a future where every child’s path to school is safe, joyful, and free.