Practical Tips and Successful Trips: Bike Train Moms Share Everyday Mobility Lessons at Northwest Arkansas E-Mobility Day

The future of active transportation in Northwest Arkansas is moving faster than ever.

Arkansas Moves was thrilled to take the lead role on the main stage during E-Mobility Day presented by Aventon at this year's Bentonville Bike Fest. Held at the A Street Promenade in downtown Bentonville, the event brought together families, community leaders, advocates, and industry partners to celebrate the many ways biking and micromobility are transforming everyday transportation.

As part of the day's programming, Jessica Pearson, Founder of Arkansas Moves, and Bret McCormick, Arkansas Moves Community Engagement Manager, facilitated The Bentonville Bike Train Moms Panel, featuring members of the Arkansas Moves Coalition. The inspiring discussion explored the rapid growth of youth commuting by bike in Bentonville while offering practical advice for families interested in making active transportation part of their daily lives.

"If we can do it, so can you."

That was the message shared throughout the panel as four local mothers described how biking has become an integral part of their families' routines. From school commutes and homeschool adventures to navigating medical complexities, each story demonstrated that there is no single path to incorporating biking into family life—and that every family can start somewhere.

Building a Culture of Everyday Mobility

Professional cyclist and Bentonville Bike Fest founder Kenny Belaey envisioned E-Mobility Day as more than a showcase of bikes and technology. The event was designed to help people experience the many ways active transportation can become part of everyday life—from commuting to school and work to running errands and connecting with the community.

The Bike Train Moms panel embodied that vision, demonstrating that e-bikes, cargo bikes, Bike Trains, and connected infrastructure aren't simply recreational amenities—they're practical tools that help families build healthier, happier, and more connected lives.

"E-Mobility Day was created to bridge the gap between high-performance cycling and daily transportation. Having the Bike Train Moms on stage was the highlight for me because they prove that a cycling culture isn't built on elite events alone—it's built on the daily school run. They show what's possible when a community has the right infrastructure and the right mindset. I want families to look at them and think, 'If they can do it, we can too,' and feel empowered to leave the car at home a little more often. E-bikes are becoming more and more popular, so including them in our program was a no-brainer!"
— Kenny Belaey, Founder, Bentonville Bike Fest

How It All Started: The Original Bike Train Mom

Long before Bike Trains became a familiar sight in Bentonville, one parent had an idea that would spark a movement.

Tina Lewis, often referred to as Bentonville's original Bike Train mom, shared the story of how a small group of families riding together to school at Willowbrook Elementary quickly grew into something much bigger. What started as a simple way to make riding safer and more enjoyable soon spread to schools across the community as parents and students saw the benefits firsthand.

"The Willowbrook Bike Train started in the spring of 2023 with two families who were looking for a safe, fun, and active way to get to school. What began with one stop and two moms quickly grew to multiple stops and routes as more families saw the joy, confidence, and independence it gave their children. Along the way, it has inspired other schools across Bentonville to start Bike Trains of their own, helping even more students and families discover the joy of riding to school together. We're proud of how far we've come and excited to keep the wheels turning as our community continues to grow."
— Tina Lewis

The Time Myth: Why Biking Can Actually Simplify Your Morning

One of the most common concerns parents express is that biking to school sounds like it would take too much time. Katrina Henrie challenged that assumption.

While there may be a few extra minutes spent finding helmets, buckling straps, or loading backpacks, Katrina explained that those minutes are often gained back—and then some. Kids are excited to get outside and ride, reducing the morning battles that many parents know all too well. Add in the ability to bypass long school drop-off and pickup lines, biking can actually make mornings smoother and more efficient.

"Biking in the morning helps energize my kids and get them out the door quicker than on mornings we drive. Instead of waiting for them to buckle their boosters and car seats, we just load up on the bike. It sets a completely different tone for our mornings."
— Katrina Henrie

Active Transportation Beyond the School Bell

For Allie Lichtenwald, active mobility isn't limited to getting to and from school.

As a homeschool parent, Allie has found countless ways to incorporate biking, walking, and other forms of active transportation into her family's daily routine. She reminded attendees that programs like Bike to School Week aren't just for students enrolled in Bentonville schools. Families throughout the community can participate and enjoy the benefits of moving together.

Whether it's riding to homeschool co-op, the library, parks, community events, local businesses, or simply making active transportation part of everyday life, Allie's story demonstrates that every family can find opportunities to ride.

"Biking is our primary mode of transportation for our family. We load up in the morning and get wherever we need to be—whether that's homeschool co-op, the library, the Amazeum, or the grocery store. Everyone's happier with some fresh air and movement!"
— Allie Lichtenwald

If We Can Do It, So Can You

The panel concluded with one of the most powerful stories of the evening.

Celsey Morgan shared her family's experience biking with her daughter, who has medical complexities. While many families might assume that active transportation would be too difficult or complicated under those circumstances, Celsey explained how biking has become an important and meaningful part of their family's routine.

"Our family has definitely faced challenges. My daughter has medical complexities, so active transportation didn't seem like something that would be possible for us at first. But instead of giving up on the idea, we found ways to make it work. We use an e-bike with a child seat and a bike trailer so she can safely be part of our rides. It may not look like how another family bikes, and that's okay.

To parents who aren't sure it's possible, I'd say don't let the picture in your head of what biking 'should' look like stop you from trying. Start small, borrow equipment if you can, or join a Bike Train so you don't have to do it alone. There are more adaptive options and supportive communities than many people realize. Every family's journey will look different, and that's perfectly okay. The goal isn't perfection—it's creating opportunities for your kids to experience the joy, independence, and connection that come from getting around by bike in whatever way works for your family."
— Celsey Morgan

Her story challenged assumptions about who can participate in active transportation and highlighted the importance of creating communities and infrastructure that welcome everyone.

The message resonated deeply throughout the room: there is no "perfect" cyclist or "perfect" family. Every family's journey looks different, and barriers that seem insurmountable often become manageable with support, creativity, and a willingness to try.

One Trip Can Change Everything

As Northwest Arkansas continues investing in trails, Bike Trains, e-bike programs, and connected active transportation networks, more families are discovering that biking isn't just recreation—it's a practical, joyful way to build confidence, create community, and spend meaningful time together.

Whether it's avoiding the school pickup line, replacing car trips with bike rides, exploring the community as a homeschool family, or finding adaptive solutions that make riding possible, each panelist shared a common message: you don't have to do everything at once.

The Bentonville Bike Train moms left attendees with a simple challenge:

Start where you are. Try one trip. See what happens.

Because if they can do it, so can you.

Special thanks to Kenny Belaey and the Bentonville Bike Fest team for creating E-Mobility Day and for providing a platform where local families could share the real-life stories that are helping build a stronger culture of everyday biking across Northwest Arkansas.