We hit a pretty big milestone with the start of this school year: all three kids are now in school full time! Our littlest started kindergarten and our oldest started middle school. It's been exciting. And overwhelming. 

For reasons not entirely in our control, the three kids ended up at three different schools. Two of the three schools are near each other geographically. The third is close to our house. 

On the first day of school, I had Dan take the morning off, because I didn't know how else we could get all three to their schools. The second day, we drove. I drove the kids to school the whole first week, I think. But then, as I'm apt to do, I reconsidered: we could bike? Couldn't we?

Up until this year, our school commutes have been pretty short. We made decisions about schools to keep the kids within a mile or so of our house. We walked. We biked. We drove only when it was super snowy or we had to pick up a friend.

This year, other factors took priority, and the schools are farther away. But not that far. Like I said, one school is walkable, but the other two are about 3.5 miles from our house by bike. It takes about 20 minutes to ride. Doable, right? We've been training for this!

However, here's the issue: after we drop off at the school near our house, we have exactly 20 minutes to get to the other schools so the kids aren't late. It's tight. If we forget something, we'll be late. We feel rushed every morning. I hate rushing. My kids don't like it either. It's stressful for all of us.

I've spent a good amount of time whining about this situation. But whining doesn't solve anything. In terms of solutions, here's what I've come up with:

one. // Change schools. Not possible in the short term. Maybe possible in the longer term. TBD.

two. // Take the cargo bike more. My oldest, W, is a great bike rider. She's fast. She's aware of her surroundings. But I can still make faster time when she rides in our cargo trike and I'm the only one biking. We probably save 3-5 minutes with this option because I bike faster and no time has to be spent locking up her bike at school. She just jumps out.

three. // Drive more. I always say that driving is only 5-10 minutes faster than biking. Unfortunately, in this case, we need those 5-10 minutes. I know we'll be driving more in the winter months, so I'm trying not to drive for every school run right now. If there are 10 school runs each week, I'm currently driving for 3-4 of them. So biking 60-70% of the time. I'm happy with that. But I don't want it to be 100% of the time. That will make me feel like I've given up.  

four. // Find more carpools. In my experience, carpooling with others works better in the afternoon. Mornings are hectic. It's hard to coordinate your family's timing with another family's. And with three kids, that's a lot of logistics...

four. // Have on of the two older kids go to school solo. This is on the horizon but I’m not sure we’re quite there. But going to continue to consider it.

five. // Move. Neighborhoods or to a city with school buses. I've heard that's a thing. It sounds glorious. Do your kids ride one? (We’re not moving.)

Before I conclude, it feels important to acknowledge how privileged I am to even have the time to do these school runs. It takes a total of 3 hours a day. This is a whole other issue that I might discuss another time: our transportation system is a policy failure.

One way or another, we'll figure it out. Mostly I just wanted to document and share the ways we're trying to continue to bike as our kids get older. It's hard. We live in a society where too many of us are rushing too much of the time, and we need cars to get us quickly from point A to point B. I don't like it, but I'm also realizing there's not much point fighting it. Or maybe, I fight it a little but not with my full force. I need to adapt some, too. 

How about you? How's your school commute going? Are you walking or biking? Do you wish you could? Is your middle schooler going to school solo? I'd love to hear how other families are managing! 

I’d rarely done grocery delivery before the Covid-19 pandemic. I actually would have told you, back then, that I much preferred going to the grocery store and picking out my own items. I have several posts on this blog about grocery shopping, and how to do it without too much waste.

I stand by all those posts, but my perspective has changed and the options for grocery delivery have evolved as well.

Since the pandemic hit in 2020, I’ve tried several of the delivery options: Instacart, AmazonFresh, Thrive Market, Imperfect Foods…but my favorite is Denver’s online local grocery delivery service: Pine Melon. Here’s what I love about the experience:

Produce is fresh, seasonal, reasonably-priced, and often local. You can’t always get every single type of fruit, but that’s because they’re not all in season! Pine Melon stocks most fruits and vegetables, but they focus on partnerships with local producers. It has a bit more of a farmers’ market feel to it. You can get the more “basic” fruits and vegetables, but they also have lots of heirloom and unique products like specialty mushrooms, greens, and sprouts.

Packaging is low-impact. Grocery delivery is definitely not zero waste, and Pine Melon is no exception. However, they do try to use minimal packaging with a focus on recyclable and compostable materials. The orders come in paper bags, and produce is left loose, in green paper cartons, or in compostable bags. I use the compostable bags to line my compost bin, now that the Front Range no longer allows us to compost brown paper.

Members get special deals + free gifts. I became part of the Pine Melon “family,” which is basically their membership program. This gives me free delivery on orders over $35, special deals on many products (such as organic carrots for 99 cents and organic romaine lettuce for $1.29), free gifts of products to try, and extra “MelonMoney” back with each order (which usually equates to a few dollars off my next order).

$0.01 deals! Once I got a whole bag of mangoes for one cent. Another time it was four locally-made cookies. Another time it was a huge bag of cherries. It’s so cool to be able to add an item to your order for just a penny!

Their customer service is fabulous. They communicate well when products are out of stock (rarely happens to me!) and they always deliver on time, usually at the beginning of my two-hour window. With other grocery delivery services there are often mistakes - forgotten items, wrong items, spoiled food…I’ve never had that happen with Pine Melon. They’ve always gotten my order 100% correct.

They offer three types of bananas: regular (usually just-ripe yellow), “smoothie ready” = very ripe, and green. I like to know what I’m getting when I order bananas and I’m happy to pay a bit more (or a bit less) for what I want. I usually get the “smoothie ready” ones for baking - just 75 cents for a bunch!

I’ve been super happy with Pine Melon and encourage my Denver friends to give them a try!

Have questions? Ask me! I could talk grocery shopping nuances all day long.

Wanna give Pine Melon a try? Use this link to get $30 off your first order! (Full disclosure, I get $30 too so it’s pretty awesome for both of us!). This post isn’t sponsored or anything, I just like sharing things I like.

If one was to try to identify my shopping “addictions,” jeans would definitely be near the top of the list. I love a good pair of jeans that fits just right and matches everything! When I was a kid, we’d drive over an hour from my hometown to Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, where I could get the coolest jeans that weren’t even available in the USA (thanks, Mom!).

Years later, when I’d started buying most clothes from consignment stores, I would still argue that buying a good pair of new jeans was worth it. And there is definitely is some validity in that argument. But I couldn’t really make it anymore when I had 10+ jeans in my closest. I didn’t need anymore; new or used.

However, jeans wear out. Holes can be patched of course, but sometimes you do need to retire a pair. Your body changes due to time and life and sometimes your old pair of favorite jeans just doesn’t fit anymore.

A few months ago, when the weather got colder, I found myself with numerous jeans in my closet, but none of them were ones I could wear. I know that sounds dramatic, and you’re probably thinking, “Yeah right, Melissa, I’m sure they fit, you just didn’t like them.” But honestly, they either had holes in them (great style for the spring and fall; not so much for the winter) or they were too tight. (Plus I had a couple great pairs of black jeans, but everyone needs a blue jean option!)

In an attempt to bolster my jean wardrobe, I went consignment shopping. In person and online. And yet, it didn’t quite work out. I ended up with more pairs that didn’t fit well. I started to think I might need to buy new again. I was almost going to go online to a store when one of the people I follow on Instagram reminded me that it takes almost 2,000 gallons of water to grow enough cotton for a pair of jeans. I couldn’t do it. I had to find some pre-loved ones. I doubled down on my consignment skills.

I am pleased to report that as of last weekend, I have two pairs of completely serviceable blue jeans without holes in them!

Here’s what I learned from the bumpy process of buying a few too many pairs of not-quite-right jeans. Hopefully these reminders will help you if you, too, find yourself in a “I need new jeans” moment:

one. // Try them on. To some this probably sounds like a no-brainer, but it the world of buying used clothes there are often situations in which you don’t have the opportunity to try something on. Many brick-and-mortar thrift stores have closed their fitting rooms since the pandemic for health or staffing issues and online stores like thredUp and Poshmark have great selections of like-new jeans but you can’t try them on before they arrive in the mail. Not trying them jeans on is almost always a mistake. Sometimes you get lucky, but often you don’t.

two. // Sizes are not always the same. I currently have jeans that fit me in at least three different sizes. The fit of even the same brand can vary so much depending on the cut and material and who has previously worn them. This factor points you back to tip number one: try them on!

three. // Don’t be too committed to one brand. Like many, I love Madewell jeans. Everlane is great too. But when I’ve shopped at consignment stores, I’ve found some great jeans from new-to-me brands. “Low-end” brands can actually be thicker material than a more expensive brand. Jeans made by a brand you’ve never purchased before might be just the ticket.

four. // Be thoughtful about whether or not you want holes. I mentioned this in my intro: the trend of jeans with holes in them is cool, but not always practical. I like wearing hole-y jeans during the warmer months, but they sit in my closest when it’s cold out.

five. // Ask your friends about their jean stash. There’s no way you’re the only one who has a pair of jeans or two that doesn’t fit quite right. I was lucky enough to grab a couple pairs from a friend recently. Maybe even arrange a jeans swap (that would get me in trouble!).

What about you? I want to hear your jean stories! I know you have one!

In March 2022, we went on our third trip to Costa Rica. Our first trip was in February 2014, when Willa (my oldest child) was just 20 months old. We went for 10 days, flying in and out of San José, and exploring the Monteverde region before heading to the beach in Guanacaste province. We had a fantastic trip, and came back to Denver knowing we’d travel there again, if we had the chance.

The next time we planned a beach vacation, it was when Cameron (my second child) was 17 months old, and so we decided we should go somewhere “easier” and “simpler.” We went to Tulum, Mexico, and despite having a good time, it wasn’t at all easier, and we said to ourselves “we should have gone to Costa Rica!”

Apparently we’re into trips when our kids are just under age 2, because the next time we went to Costa Rica, our littlest, Zoe, was 16 months old. That was in 2019, and we traveled with another family. We loved that trip so much, we pretty much repeated it this year. No toddler in tow this time, though!

There are a lot of one liners about traveling with kids and how hard it can be. We love traveling as a family, challenges and all, but Costa Rica is the one vacation we’ve done that truly feels like a vacation. It is genuinely relaxing. Here are a few things we’ve done that I think have helped make this our favorite family vacation:

Go to a small town:
On our second trip to Costa Rica, we were very specific about what kind of place we wanted to stay. We searched for rental houses all over the country, looking for one that was walking distance from a beach and a grocery store. Our top pick was to be in Guanacaste or Nicoya, and we ultimately found a great-looking rental house in Playa Carrillo. The house worked out perfectly: we walked to the beach 1-2 times a day, and we could also walk to a small grocery store and a few restaurants. We went back to Playa Carrillo this year, but stayed in a different house. Still walking distance to the beach and closer to the store and restaurants. Plus it had a pool (see below for more on that). Playa Carrillo is just a short drive to Sámara, a larger beach town that is fun to explore. There’s a public bus between the two towns, too.

Fly to the smaller airport:
To get to Playa Carrillo, we fly to the Liberia airport in northwestern Costa Rica. It’s a small airport that primarily serves tourists. From Denver, Southwest flies to Liberia direct, but only on certain days of the week during peak season. We’ve closely watched Southwest’s schedule to get flights as soon as they’re released.

Don’t rent a car:
Many of you know that driving is not my favorite. Of course it has it’s role and with a rental car you can go more places on your own schedule. But we find renting a car when traveling can often be stressful, and driving in Costa Rica isn’t always smooth. Literally. On our first trip., we drove from Monteverde to Guanacaste and gosh it was a bumpy adventure! Our last two trips to CR have been with a group of 9 people. With that size group, we hire a van to drive us to and from the Liberia airport and our rental house in Playa Carrillo. It costs about $150 USD each way, and the drive is 2 hours. We’ve used Samara Adventures and always had a really good experience. They will supply car seats if you need them.

Rent a house with a pool:
To be honest, I had a lot of reservations about renting a house with a pool. Pools obviously add a good amount of risk, and I was worried that managing the kids around the pool would add a lot of stress to our vacation. Thankfully, after setting clear expectations and rules around the pool, we found it added so much FUN to our time in Costa Rica! Even though the beach was walking distance away, sometimes a jump in the pool was what everyone needed. The kids would swim first thing in the morning while the adults leisurely sipped their coffee. We’d have a quick swim before dinner. You get it - pools are great.

Find someone to cook at your house:
On our first trip to Playa Carrillo, we tried to find someone who’d be willing to come cook at our rental house, but we didn’t have any luck. This last trip, our property manager had a friend who was interested, and it was such a treat. She met with us and discussed our dietary preferences (1 gluten free, 1 vegan, 1 vegetarians) and then came three nights during our stay and cooked the most delicious Costa Rican food (plus some chicken tenders and fries for the kids). It was less expensive than going out to eat at the local restaurants, even though we ended up paying more than she asked for because we were so happy with the experience.

Buy groceries:
I know not everyone agrees, but I don’t find eating out to be that “easy.” I’m not good at deciding what to order, and I’ve gotten even worse since eating a more vegan diet. With kids, you have to help them decide what to order too…and then you have to wait. Anyway, my point is there is some ease that comes with having groceries and making food at your rental house. We like to have the airport transfer van stop at a larger grocery store en route and then we re-stock from the small store in Playa Carrillo. Easy meal ideas: pasta with jarred sauce, tacos, eggs and veggies. And don’t miss the fresh fruit!

Keep plans minimal:
I know this isn’t everyone’s preference, but for us, it’s worked out really well to keep our days very simple while in Costa Rica. We are there for a week, and only planned a couple outings or adventures. Most days we “just” go to the beach. Coming from Denver, the beach is very different and exciting and keeps us all entertained for hours at a time. In 2019, we went into Sámara one day, and also went on a dolphin watching adventure. This past trip (2022), we again went to Sámara and also spent a morning zip-lining in the jungle. We booked our outings with Samara Adventures. They pick you up and drop you off at your rental house, so no car needed!

Make piña coladas:
With or without rum, fresh pineapple blended together with coconut cream and ice is absolutely divine after a day at the beach. So refreshing!

Take a wagon:
A wagon is key for getting kids and stuff to and from the beach. Without one, it might have seemed necessary to drive, but with two wagons we were able to take all our towels, toys, snacks and kids on the 10 minute walk there and back. Ours is a Costco wagon and it was easy to take through the airport. We’ve gate checked it and checked it as a stroller. Both work!

Watch the sunset:
Sunsets are relaxing. I highly recommend taking a picnic dinner to the beach one night to watch the sun go down after you play in the waves.

Everyone likes different types of vacations, but for us, keeping things low key has been delightful. What’s your favorite way to actually relax on vacation?

Pura Vida!

I am working on a post about our trip to Costa Rica earlier this year (so overdue!) and as a result, travel and its environmental impact have been on my mind. Actually, I frequently wrestle with the issue of travel and how responsible I am as an individual to decrease my travel due to the climate crisis. Light thoughts, right? Phew.

I don’t have many answers but I am always trying to learn more and to be aware of how my behavior fits into the larger picture. Apparently tourism accounts for 8-11% of annual greenhouse gas emissions globally, and that is mostly how you get where you’re going: car or plane. Planes are more polluting, but more people travel by car. 

Like many people, I have always loved to travel, and I am so appreciative of the opportunities I’ve had in my lifetime to experience new places, both near and far. I grew up in a small, rural town, and always longed for adventures. My parents instilled a love of travel in me from a young age. Most of our trips were in North America: spring break in Florida at my grandparents’ house, holidays with family in Ohio, road trips across the country with stops at national parks.

When I was in high school, I had a unique opportunity to go on a school trip to China. I can’t remember all the details, but there was a lot of fundraising and some mandatory language lessons. I spent almost two weeks in Beijing, living with a host family. That experience prompted me to study Mandarin Chinese in college, which afforded me several more trips to China and Asia more broadly.

But before studying Chinese, I first worked on my French skills as an exchange student in France in between graduating high school and starting college. That was in the fall 2001, so my ability to explore France and Europe as an American was limited due to concerns in the aftermath of 9/11, but I did manage a solo trip to visit a friend in Germany. 

When I was taking these trips, I was blissfully unaware of the impact airplane travel has on the climate. Admittedly, I was selfish. I can recognize now that I was broadening my own horizons to the detriment of others.

But it’s not like I stopped traveling. Like I said, I love it. So many of us do... Before having kids I went to Greece, Hong Kong, Malaysia, Singapore, Thailand, Switzerland, Italy, and Aruba. As a family, we’ve traveled with one to three kids to Costa Rica, Mexico, Iceland, Germany, and Denmark.

I don’t mean to sound like a braggart here (does anyone even use that word anymore?); my main goal is to reflect on my past to help inform future choices, but I can see how listing where I’ve traveled might sound a little annoying. So let me get on with my point, shall I?

I have no plans to give up flying altogether. I do, however, try to be more thoughtful all the time about our trips, and only take the ones that are really important to our family. I also hope to go on a few longer trips where we can see several sights at the “cost” of only one long flight. There are also so many places closer to home we have yet to explore. I’m always reminding myself to explore my city; the state; our region. 

Another way I think about the impact of travel is through a yearly carbon budget, similar to the way I think of how the plane tickets I purchase affect our finances. I don’t do any actual calculations, but I just think about how it wouldn’t be good for my bank account to take five international trips a year, and it isn’t great for my “carbon footprint” to do that either. Now, there could be a year in which five international trips are necessary, whether it be for your work or if your family is abroad. I’m not judging. I’m not telling you what to do. I’m just suggesting we all think about it when we are booking our plane tickets.

There’s no doubt that flying is the single most polluting thing an individual can do, but there is some doubt about how much individual action has an impact on changing the systemic problems that got us into this mess. If my family stops flying, it won’t get us out of this mess. But if we all are more conscious about all our actions and we use them to educate others and advocate for change across industries and society, that might actually move the needle just a smidge.

I’d love to hear your musings in the comments! 

• If you could only take one international trip in the next five years, where would you go?

• Where’s your favorite place to explore in your city/town?

• What’s a road trip you hope to take in the next year?

More reading: the New York Times recently wrote about how to Be a More Sustainable Traveler

Ok first things first: I am not the foremost expert on cargo biking. There are many people who would be a better resource on the cargo bike market: those who have biked longer than I have, who own bike shops, or who work for cargo bike companies. If you want to leave right now and go find their websites/stores/social media, I won‘t be offended. Honest!

That said, I was an early adopter of the #cargobikelife, for an American, and have a strong interest in all things family biking. You might also say that researching things is one of my hobbies, which tends to lead to the acquisition of useful knowledge.

Now that we’ve discussed my credentials (or lack thereof, I’m not sure?), let’s get to the good stuff. You want to buy a cargo bike! Or maybe just an ebike with a bit of cargo space. Which one should you get? What factors should you consider?

longtail or bakfiets-style?

A longtail is basically a “regular” bike that has an elongated rear rack that can be outfitted to hold people or other cargo. This is the kind of bike you see with kids sitting on the back. You can add a seat for smaller children, and other accessories for older children. It rides similar to a regular bike, with more weight on the back of course.

A bakfiets-style bike has a large “bucket” for cargo, usually in the front. The advantages of a bucket are that you can see the kids and talk easily with them, you can throw lots of stuff in the bucket without any accessories/attachments, and you therefore don’t have to buy as many attachments. Bakfiets-style bikes can be inline (two wheels) or a trike (three wheels). I have a trike and love the stability and space it offers!

Price?

As with many things, bikes are a bit of a “you pay for what you get” situation. Cargo bikes can be expensive, for sure. But even the tip top of the line bike is going to be much cheaper than a car! If you’re planning to use your cargo bike regularly as a “car replacement,” I recommend spending as much as you can. It will save you in the long run on maintenance and other issues.

Also consider what accessories come with the bike: odometer? Lights? Rack? Bell? These are included on some bikes but not on others, and those costs do add up. Additionally, calculate all the accessories you will need for carrying your cargo. Kid attachments are usually not included.

Do i need e-assist? What Type of Electric Motor should i get?

Yes. You need it to be electrified. You will use it more. Its hard to pedal 100lbs of kids even if you’re in great shape and your community is flat. I know some will argue with me on this, and I supposed it is somewhat variable based on your specific circumstances, but my opinion is that you should get a e-cargo bike if you can swing the cost.

As for what type of motor/assist, this is a more technical point on which I will defer to the experts, but as you hunt for your e-cargo bike, keep in mind that there are different types of motors and electric assist. Some will ride more like a traditional pedal-powered bike, with just a little bit of power behind your pedaling, while other e-bikes are a bit more like a motorcycle in that they can be powered without pedaling. I have my own preference, and you will probably have yours, so try different types of bikes to decide what is best for your situation!

Brand?

There are so many options and more coming out all the time. Different bikes are available in different cities, so your best bet is to see what is available at your local bike stores. That said, bikes are often shipped to local stores from elsewhere, so if you have your eye on a bike that is not carried locally, having it shipped to you isn’t out of the question. We had our Nihola 4.0 shipped from California because at that time there were no bakfiets-style trikes available in Denver. Not all brands are created equal, obviously, so ask around and ask the experts about the pros and cons of different brands. Remember, you’re paying for what you get so if a bike is cheaper, it is cutting that cost somewhere. Affordable e-bikes are amazing and the right choice for many people, but you want to be an educated buyer.

What about buying used?

Yes yes yes! Buying an existing bike is always a good choice for the environment and your bank account. People are often selling their cargo bikes after their needs change. Check out Facebook Marketplace and other online sites. I recommend looking in surrounding regions too, because you might find your dream bike a short drive away, and it’d be worth that drive to save money and get the bike you want.

But do I really need a cargo bike?

We all have stuff to carry! Even if you don’t have kids, you probably still have stuff to move about your city or neighborhood. People without kids still buy big cars! Not that we should do that, but you take my point. And even if your kids can ride a bike on their own, a cargo bike is still a convenient way to transport older kids longer distances, or along routes that might not be safe for them to ride alone. My 10 year old rides her own bike a lot, but I also take her to activities in the cargo bike. Don’t assume your kids will “age out” of a cargo bike. In many countries, adults ride in cargo bikes frequently! Cargo bikes for all!

Ok, that’s all I got! What did I miss? What questions do you still have? What cargo bike are you getting? Share!

The other day, I was talking about the weather, as one does, with an acquantiance of mine. She commented: “I’m not looking forward to smog season,” and I think my heart skipped a beat. I’d never heard it called that. I’d never thought about the fact the poor air quality that plagues my region of Colorado had a whole season unto itself. But it does. It truly does. And that sucks.

I’m worried about the air. I’m worried about it’s impacts on my health and my kids’ health. It’s one of the most immediate impacts of the climate crisis on Colorado.

I’m betting you’re worried about these things, too. We need to channel our anxiety into action. But I know it mcan be hard to know how to get involved; how to do something.

One of the easiest steps to take is to sign up for the email lists of environmental organizations. They’ll then send you emails about ways big and small that you can support their initiatives. Simple actions like sending a prepared email to your representatives have an impact, and there are also other ways to get involved such as testifying at a public meeting (often virtually!) or helping organize a climate action (protest).

Here are my five favorite local organizations to support. If you’re not in Colorado, I encourage you to check out your local 350.org chapter, and seek out a local transportation advocacy group.

one// 350.org Colorado - 350.org was founded by the environmentalist Bill McKibben. They focus on keeping oil in the ground and promoting solutions to the climate crisis.

two // Mountain Mamas - Mountain Mamas are a group of women working to promote a livable climate for their children. Their focus is on clean air, but this connects to many facets of the climate movement. I’ve had the opportunity to participate in several events with this group recently and really respect the work they’re doing and the way they support the involvement of other moms.

three // Denver Streets Partnership - DSP is a transportation advocacy group working for safer streets in Denver. Because 30-50% of carbon emissions come from transportation, improving the ways we move people is an integral part of mitigating the worst impacts of climate change. DSP provides easy opportunities to support legislation in Denver and Colorado that will help people get around in ways that are less polluting to our climate.

four // CoPirg - Colorado Public Interest Research Group advocates for what’s best for the people. For the public interest. They work on a wide range of issues that effect public health. Sign-up for their emails and you’ll have a chance to voice your concerns to your elected officials on a whole range of issues.

five // EcoCycle - Based out of Boulder, Eco-Cycle is working to improve waste systems along the Front Range. I have had the opportunity to work with Eco-Cycle as a “Denver Eco Leader” in an effort to change Denver’s waste system into one that incentivizes recycling and composting and discourages putting things in the landfill. If zero waste is your “thing,” definitely check out Eco-Cycle’s work.

Do you want to bike to school with your kids? AWESOME! Do you want to help plan a ride for this year’s “Bike to School Day?” FANTASTIC! It’s on May 4th, but you can also pick any date that works for you school!

There is a wealth of guidance about how to plan an event on the national Walk, Bike and Roll to School website. Start there! I particularly appreciate their “plan an event in 7 days” guide.

Because I’m such a bike to school enthuiast, I’m also including my own tips below, in case those are helpful. If you have questions or just want to talk through Denver bike routes or what might be best for your child’s school, don’t hesitate to contact me!

Steps to take ASAP:

one. // Check with your child’s school to see if they already have an event planned. You can also check the national Bike, Walk and Roll to School website to see if an event is registered for your child’s school. If so, participate and spread the word! Maybe volunteer to help out. If not, continue to step 2.

two. // Take charge! Plan an event to get more people to ride to school on May 4! That can take a few different forms:

• If you don’t have a lot of time to dedicate to planning, you can keep it simple - talk to your school’s principal/head about the event and then spread the word to other parents. Maybe include it in the school’s newsletter, announcements, or on their social media. If you’re able, you can also provide support by suggesting routes and giving safety tips.

• If you are able to commit a bit more time and effort, you can plan “Park and Bike” event. Pick a meeting spot a short distance from your child’s school (0.5-1 mile away) and have people gather there on the morning of May 4, 30-45 minutes before school starts.

• Similarly, if your child attends a neighborhood school and you know others who live near you attend the same school, suggest meeting at a spot in the neighborhood and riding to school from there. If people from the school community who live elsewhere in the city want to join, they can drive to your neighborhood and join the ride.

three. // Spread the word! No matter how you’re involved in planning, it’s always important to spread the word to get more people to ride. First off, register the event. Then think of low-tech and high-tech options: flyers around school, phone calls, emails, social media, school announcement letters, text messages and more.

If you’re just promoting “bike to school” day, then you’re all done! If you’ve planned a group ride, here are a few more Steps to take 1-2 weeks before may 4:

one. // Share a map with those participating. You can also do this the day of, as you feel appropriate for your event.

two. // Ask for help! Get other parents who are enthusiastic about biking to help you. You’ll want volunteers to:

• Be the ride leader, if you’re hosting a group ride. You also want someone to bring up the rear of the ride.

• Help “staff” the route: Adults wearing fluorescent clothing should position themselves at intersections to help those in the group ride safely cross streets, particularly busy ones.

• Provide snacks at the meeting spot or at the school (optional, but always appreciated).

• Distribute maps at the meeting spot.

• Welcome kids and parents to the school.

How to lead a group ride on “Bike to School Day,” may 4:

one: // Make sure everyone knows the meeting spot, and make yourself available by text message for any questions or issues.

two: // Designate someone to lead the ride. This might be you, or another adult. This person should announce the route, and remind people of safety measures (where to turn, stop, watch for cars, etc.).

three. // If you have people staffing the route, send them out to their stations.

four. // Remind parents to ride with their kids.

five. // Depart with plenty of time to get to school before it starts! You don’t want people to be late!

Have fun!

What more info on biking to school? Check out my blog post “9 Tips for Biking to School.”

I’m a “less is more” kind of gal, and I like to really think through purchases before making them. I’m wary of the idea that stuff is made to make our lives easier. Oftentimes more stuff just complicates things.

But there are a few bike accessories that have definitely made our daily rides better. Whether it be a pannier that accommodates my kids’ large backpacks, or a speaker that makes longer rides more festive. Below are my five favorite accessories for family cargo biking and bike commuting. Plus one extra because safety is cool!

one. // Wald Folding Back Rack - This rack is ubiquitous; I’m sure you’ve seen one before. It’s a metal folding rack that goes on the back of your bike. It’s installed with hardware so you can’t easily take it on and off. I like how it gives me a place to throw bags etc. and not have to worry about taking it inside when I lock my bike up.

two. // Green Guru Freerider Pannier Bag - I bought this bag recently to accommodate my eldest’s growing backpack. It’s easy to put on and off the back rack, and is quite large. I love the way it has side straps so you can attach random items and squeeze in extra coats and the like. It’s listed at $70 but I was able to get mine on sale for $48. It is also made with reclaimed materials, which is awesome.

three. // Kids’ Bike Basket - I bought this basket for my daughter’s bike years ago, and even though the handle has fallen off, it still easily mounts on the side of our cargo hold. It’s a good way to contain my kids’ items, such as water bottles, so they can easily access them during rides.

four. // Slap Bag - I’ll be honest: I resisted buying this bag for a long time. I’d seen them around, but at $34 each, I couldn’t quite stomach the investment. “I can make something similar,” I told myself. But then one day I found myself at my friend Arleigh’s bike shop, and decided to buy it under the pretense I was just supporting her business (I mean, I was!). But it’s the best bike accessory ever. I use it on every ride: for my keys, my phone, my mask…I can open and close it with one hand. So great. Just get one. Ideally from a local bike shop you love ;)

five. // Clearon Bluetooth Portable Speaker - We use this speaker multiple times a day, every day. It’s not only great for biking, but also for stroller walks, camping, audio books around the house…$40 well spent!

bonus. // Visibility Flag - It’s not fun to talk about, but being hit from behind by a vehicle is a common way bikers are injured. Make yourself as visible as possible with a large flag!

What’d I miss? What are your favorite accessories for making your bike rides more fun and functional?

I recently had the opportunity to talk with Megan Hottman on her podcast Maximum Enthusiasm. Megan, aka the Cyclist Lawyer, is a bike advocate (and so much more!) in the Denver area, and I had the chance to get to know her through while being a part of her bike ambassadors program in 2020 and 2021.

Megan is deeply concerned and extremely educated about climate issues. She and I had a great talk about the significance of individual choices and how my family of five strives to reduce our environmental impact.

I appreciated the chance to reflect on my journey to get to where I am today when it comes to sustainability and low-impact living. Shout outs to my parents, Middlebury College, Seattle, and so many friends and fellow-environmentalists who’ve taught me valuable lessons over the years.

I hope you’ll listen (even if it’s on 1.5 speed!) and let me know your thoughts about my tips, stories, and jokes.

Oh, and one thing I somehow neglected to say on the podcast: COMPOST!