The Bike Side

 

You should have seen my to-do list the summer before sending my oldest to college. People laugh at my lists, but I have found the older I get, the more I don’t want to “think”.  I just want to “do” when under a crunch deadline.  Lists made in my less stressful time always pay off for me…or so I thought.

It might be interesting to note that our college student’s bike came back home to us in the first 3 weeks as “not needed.”  

Such a blow to my ego!

College Money Management – what to consider about bikes

Nearly every parent will have this discussion:  does my college kid need a bike? Many students envision themselves a Lance Armstrong wanna-be (ok, hopefully the Lance-type before we knew about his drug issues), and think they will simply bike to all their classes. Not necessarily true. You might want to run a check on the following:

  • How “on-time” does the campus bus system (if any) run?
  • Is the bus system frequent enough for practical use? Does it cover late and early class times?
  • Does biking appear to be a popular mode of transportation? That’s a clue that a bike is needed.
  • How much time is allowed between classes? Enough to bike?
  • How far apart, generally, are their classes? Too far to walk? No bus near?
  • Compare a bike to the park and walk approach. Parking permits are serious $$$ and often not near where your student is usually needing to be.
  • Is your student willing to wear a helmet?
  • Are there safe bike lanes?
  • Does your student know bike traffic hand signals and are they willing to use them?
  • Call your campus police to ask about bike theft, accidents, and any specific ways to avoid these situations.
  • Does your campus provide good lighting for bike parking?
  • Is your campus big or small (in terms of walking time)?
  • Does the weather get so bad that a bike doesn’t make sense for a large % of the year?

Expert Help:

Want to know the bike laws in your state and/or your child's upcoming college state? Bike Laws By State.    (Hat Tip to BikeLeague.org)

Many colleges encourage bikes!  Is your college listed?  Top 40 Biking Colleges.  (Hat Tip BestCollegeValues.Org)

To bike or not to bike?  Hope the above info can help!

   Happy Trails……… as you CAN have Success in the Middle of It ALL

 

Pam and Holly

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Who Is JellyGeneration?

Pam Hardison, MBA, BBA in Finance and Business Education, has created and co-owned a national mail order catalog which at one point was the 21st fastest growing customerbase in the nation.  As a mom of two college-post college daughters, considers it a privilege and to meet other students and parents along the same road.   After teaching high school and college students for years, her commitment to helping them with topics most schools can't cover is the light that drives her.  

Holly Powers, Attorney-At-Law (Jameson & Powers, P.C.) has been actively practicing law since 1985 and is a shareholder with the law firm of Jameson & Powers, P.C.  The firm specializes in transactional law, health care law, and general business law.  Holly has taught students precepts concerning the legal world for over 10 years.  With 4 children, she understands what teens need to know and has a passion to help others faced with teens and aging parents.  

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