Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 Provides Back-to-School Bus and Bicycle Safety Reminders

Superintendent Michael S. Nelson would like to share back-to-school safety tips for students who take the bus to school and for those who ride bicycles. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)

MATTAPOISETT — As the 2025-26 school year gets underway, Superintendent Michael S. Nelson reminds families, students, and community members to keep safety as their top priority when traveling to and from school.

The Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 is providing safety tips for students who take the bus to school, along with their families, in addition to precautions for all those who ride a bicycle.

“As we embark on a new school year, I want to recommend that parents, guardians and students talk to each other about what we can do to improve safety on the way to and from school,” said Superintendent Nelson. “By reviewing these important safety reminders, we can better ensure the safety and success of our students throughout the rest of our time together in 2025 and 2026.”

Getting to School Safely

The National Safety Council (NSC) provides the following tips for students and parents to get to school safely:

Walking to school:

• Always use the sidewalk, if one is available. If there are no sidewalks, walk facing traffic.
• Stop before crossing streets: look left, right, then left again.
• Make eye contact with drivers before crossing the road and always cross streets at crosswalks or intersections
• Stay alert — never text or wear earbuds while crossing streets. Better yet, never cross the street while using any electronic device.

Biking to school:

• Ride with traffic, single file, on the right side of the road.
• Come to a complete stop before crossing any street and walk your bike across.
• Stay alert and avoid distractions while riding, such as phones or earbuds.
• Wear bright or reflective clothing so drivers can see you clearly.
• Helmets appropriate for bicycling should be worn by everyone — adults and children — on every bike ride, regardless of the ride’s length.
• Use hand signals when turning and make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. Aside from using hand signals, keep both hands on the handlebars.

For additional safety tips and recommendations for riding a bicycle to school, go to MassBike for a full rundown.

“It’s critical that every student who rides a bike takes responsibility for their own safety and follows the rules of the road,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Following these important safety tips can make all the difference.”

Riding an e-bike:

• An e-bike is defined as a bicycle or tricycle that is equipped with fully operational pedals and an electric motor of 750 watts or less. The motor can only power the e-bike up to 20 miles per hour. More powerful motorized bikes require registration and a driver’s license or learner’s permit.
• Always wear a helmet, no matter what.
• Use front and rear lights even during the day and wear bright or reflective clothing.
• E-bikes are not permitted on sidewalks, highways, or natural trails that are meant for non-motorized traffic.
• Operate e-bikes only on roads and designated bike lanes, following the same rules of the road as bicycles.
• Ride in the same direction as traffic, single file, on the right side of the road.
• Always obey stop signs, red lights and lane markings.
• The same as when you ride a regular bicycle, use hand signals when turning and make eye contact with drivers whenever possible. Again, aside from using hand signals, keep both hands on the handlebars.

“As e-bikes become more common, students and families should be aware of these important rules and safety guideliens,” Superintendent Nelson said. “While e-bikes offer convenience they also come with extra risks because of their speed and power. We encourage families to talk with their children about these rules and to make sure every e-bike ride is a safe one.”

Taking the bus to school:

• Go to the bus stop with your child to teach them the proper way to get on and off the bus
• Arrive at the bus stop early and wait at least six feet — or at least three giant steps — away from the curb.
• If crossing the road in front of the bus, first walk 10 feet ahead of the bus, so the driver can always see you. Parents and guardians are encouraged to model safe behavior when helping their student get on or off the bus.

View the complete bus route schedule for Marion, Mattapoisett and Rochester here.

Driving your child to school: 

• Eliminate distractions and stay alert.
• Follow posted school zone speed limits and your school’s drop-off procedures.
• Watch for students crossing the street and make eye contact with them before proceeding.

Reminders for Motorists

Motorists must remain alert while driving, particularly in school zones and residential neighborhoods. Children can be unpredictable and may ignore hazards and take risks. The NSC provides the following tips for motorists:

• Don’t block the crosswalk when stopped at a red light or waiting to make a turn, forcing pedestrians to go around you; this could put them in the path of moving traffic.
• Always stop and yield to pedestrians in school zones and at crosswalks when lights are flashing. And always stop for a school patrol officer or crossing guard holding up a stop sign.
• Take extra care to look out for children in school zones, near playgrounds and parks, and in all residential areas.
• Never honk at pedestrians or attempt to scare them into moving, even if you have the right of way.
• Never pass a vehicle that has stopped for pedestrians.
• When following a bus, maintain extra distance.
• Never pass a bus from behind – or from either direction if you’re on an undivided road – if it is stopped to load or unload children. It is illegal in all 50 states to pass a school bus that is stopped to load or unload children. Stop when the lights are flashing and the stop arm is extended.
• Remember: the 10-foot area around a school bus is the most dangerous for children. Give them space to enter and exit safely.
• Leave at least three feet when passing a bicyclist and take extra care when turning. Children may turn suddenly without warning.
• The most common cause of a collision is a driver turning left in front of a bicyclist. Watch for bike riders turning in front of you without looking or signaling; children, especially, tend to do this.
• Be alert for bikes coming from driveways or behind parked cars.

As always, if there’s any emergency, call 911 immediately.

“What we hope for above anything else is to have a safe school year,” said Mattapoisett Police Chief Jason King. “To accomplish this goal, it is paramount that parents, caregivers and our students review and discuss these important safety tips and guidelines for travel to and from school. Please be responsible and stay safe in your travels.”

“We’d like to wish all of our student and families a safe and happy school year,” said Mattapoisett School Committee Chairperson Carly Lavin. “It’s so important that all of our families make it a priority to review these important safety tips and guidelines in order to reduce the chance of accidents on the way to and from school.”

“Student safety is a responsibility we all share,” said Superintendent Nelson. “Whether you’re a parent, a guardian, a driver, a bicyclist, a neighbor or a school employee, we all play a crucial role in protecting children on their way to and from school. Thank you for partnering with us to make this a safe and positive start to the school year.”

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The Old Rochester Regional School District and Massachusetts Superintendency Union #55 is providing safety tips for students who ride bicycles and e-bikes to and from school. (Photo Courtesy Old Rochester Regional School District and MA Superintendency Union #55)