64 High School Students (with Support of Mayor & Police) Suspended for Biking to School

May 23rd, 2012 by Zachary Shahan

Updated: the principal has apparently apologized, as has the superintendent (see the links in the comments).

I’m sorry, but this is a total WTF? I’m in shock. And I think the principal should be fired. Anyway, here’s the full story:

64 Kenowa Hills High School Students Suspended for Riding Bikes to School (via Green Living Ideas)

With rising oil prices, global warming, rising obesity, and lack of exercise among Americans, it would seem harmlessly riding bikes to school would be celebrated, perhaps even promoted as a new normal. On the second-to-last day of school, seniors rode their bikes to school under police escort, rendering…

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Tags: biking to school, high school students suspended bicycling, students suspended bicycling

About the Author

Zachary Shahan spends most of his time here on CleanTechnica as the director/chief editor. Otherwise, he's probably enthusiastically fulfilling his duties as the director/editor of Solar Love, EV Obsession, Planetsave, or Bikocity. Zach is recognized globally as a solar energy, electric car, and wind energy expert. If you would like him to speak at a related conference or event, connect with him via social media. You can connect with Zach on any popular social networking site you like. Links to all of his main social media profiles are on ZacharyShahan.com.

Sirsparks Electrical

I don’t know what is worse, the principle’s initial arrogance or her later sucking up to save her job!!!

I emailed her my thoughts directly here; kpennington@khps.org
http://www.facebook.com/people/Stan-Stein/1756064509 Stan Stein

It’s not that THIS is the scary part……..what scares ME, is that given the utter mindlessness of the principal in THIS instance…..how many OTHER little aberations does she have regarding other things…..we all know, no one just makes an error in judgement in just one thing in life……..
rkt9

What, are you telling me kids cannot ride their bikes to school? When I was in middle school, it was 2 miles away, and there were NO buses. You either rode your bike, or walked, most of us from the far side of town rode our bikes.

This was in a suburb of Chicago, with plenty of automobile traffic. Nobody was ever hurt riding their bikes to school, and out of several hundred students, there were maybe 2 or 3 that were slightly overweight.

Riding bikes to school should be encouraged! Students who get a ride from mommy should be suspended. With the array of electric assist bikes some locales could do away with school buses altogether, and lease bikes at an affordable rate.
Captivation

WTF? The World Trade Federation strikes again.
http://cleantechnica.com/ Zachary Shahan

updating the post — thanks, people.
Brad Duncan

What a story, I think we all understand that she over-reacted and it looks like she realizes that now too. Here’s a statement from her and the superintendent: http://www.khps.org/files/Press%20Release%20-%20Statements%20Regarding%20the%20Senior%20Bike%20Ride_0.pdf
Rich @ NY Homesteader

Principal and Superintendent both apologized http://www.khps.org/files/Press%20Release%20-%20Statements%20Regarding%20the%20Senior%20Bike%20Ride_0.pdf
Mike Matessa

From http://www.woodtv.com/dpp/news/education/kenowa-super-principal-apologize
In a written statement, Pennington said , “Yesterday, I made a mistake and sincerely regret my actions. Did I overreact? In retrospect, of course I did…”
Ross

Principal backed down and give an apology at a school board meeting.

http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2012/05/kenowa_hills_principal_apologi.html
anderlan

Principal feels blindsided and encroached upon (they did something with her students without telling her) by other local officials, takes it out on students. Film at 11.