Tate and Cora Windmoeller
For Tate and Cora Windmoeller, ages 11 and 8, the first question they usually ask when told it is time to go somewhere is “How are we getting there?” Jumping in the car is not a given in their house. With only one car and a garage full of bikes, scooters and walking shoes, active transportation is a way of life for them.
Life on bikes began at an early age for the Windmoeller children. From the Burley cart to the tag-along bike attachment to their own wheels, they have never known another way of life. Tate likes biking because, “It’s a fun way to get exercise and I can get places.” Cora thinks its great that bikes don’t pollute. “It’s healthy and I like it,” she said. Freedom is also something Cora enjoys about biking, although she does have a few complaints about riding in Columbia. “I don’t really like riding up big hills, but when I get to the top I feel good,” she said. Her advice for those hills, “Always have gears just in case.”
As homeschoolers the Windmoellers don’t have a regular commute, but on Wednesdays piano and art lessons are at two different places in town so they make a regular 13 mile round-trip ride every week. Add to that biking to the library once a week, getting to and from friends’ houses, helping mom get groceries home from the store and riding to events in The District, these kids know their way around the city by bike.
When it comes to riding on the streets, safety is the first priority for parents Steve and Michelle. Last spring Tate took Bike Pro, the bike skills and safety class for children ages 10 to 14. The class taught him the rules of the road. “I learned how to stay safe on a bike,” said Tate. “I also learned to stop at every stop sign.” Cora is learning by watching how her big brother handles himself on the road. “And my mom is always with me when I am riding on the street so I have learned what to do,” she said.
Besides biking, the family also walks to various places around town. A stroll to the grocery store or a restaurant provides some good family discussion time, fresh air, and exercise. “I like talking to my mom and dad while we walk,” said Cora. “They listen to me and tell me about how to do things.”
For Michelle, getting the kids across town by bike is certainly not the easiest way, but she knows it is the healthy for them and is teaching them that there are other ways besides a car to get where you need to go.
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