Since a school district in upstate New York made it one.
Not surprisingly, the new bike ban is not sitting well with some local families.
In fact, the Marino family of Saratoga Springs is doing more than simply complaining about the school rule that asks parents to keep their kids from walking or riding their bikes to class, they’re ignoring it.
Janette Kaddo Marino and her son Adam made national headlines recently when they brushed off warnings from school administrators regarding their choice of transportation.
Janette maintains that she and her son were not trying to cause any trouble when they rode their bikes on school property earlier this month. Rather, she says she was simply continuing the family’s practice of regularly riding their bikes for exercise and recreation.
“I think it’s my parental right to transport my child to school in the way I deem is appropriate. I think the district is usurping its authority by telling me that I can’t,” Janette told local news reporters.
Administrators acknowledge that the district does not have any apparent authority over how parents choose to bring students to schools. However, they say they do have a right to control activities on their property.
The school’s policy states: “The Board of Education forbids the riding of bicycles by students to and from Maple Avenue Middle School.” Another section also prohibits riding to elementary schools. However, a third section states: “Secondary school pupils may ride their bicycles to school and shall park them in the racks provided.”
The contradiction infuriates Janette, who says the district needs to amend its policy.
The policy was written when Maple Avenue School opened in 1994, and has never before been reviewed, according to the school superintendent.
The 15-year-old policy does seem a bit archaic especially given all the hype surrounding childhood obesity these days. While the rest of the country is promoting bike-to-school plans to combat student weight issues and encouraging kids to “go green” by walking to class instead of driving, it seems odd that this particular school district is supporting a bike ban.
What do you make of the Marino’s act of defiance?
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