Is it a bit much to ask my kids to ride their bikes??

to school and back?

It's only about 10 miles.

Poll: Gas saver or gas guzzler

you should have them hitchhike..sell their bikes for some gas money.

Gas smells good

Depends how old they are. If they are too young then I wouldn't recommend it as anything could happen. And if they have just been introduced to bikes then their confidence with it wouldn't be high so they could do some fatal mistakes.
May be a gas guzzler to drive them but wouldn't it be better to supervise them to make sure they are safe?

Suggest it to them and see how they feel about it - perhaps even offer a method of on and off days eg:
Monday, wednesday and Friday, I drive you to school.
Tuesday and Thursday, you ride your bikes.

Work it from there and see how they deal with it. Start off small so they can build fitness levels, learn the routes and gauge how long it takes to get to school.

Encourage them but don't force them! Use facts such as better fitness, getting some fresh air and the chance to be in control of going fast!!

Good luck!

10 miles that your out of reach of your kids.

I am going to have to say safety before Gas.

I love much kids much to much and would never forgive myself if anything happened to them all for the sake of saving money.

If I lived across and was able to see them get in to the school yard then maybe.

good luck.

for us sedintary folk, riding the bike must be worked up to.

Recently in my own trials..
5 miles one way is a good expectation.
10 miles one way is difficult.

In USA . use one of the online mapping programs to check the milage of the route. And drive it yourself to see if it is safe. often there are safe bike routs near the main car route. If it does not seem safe, do not encourage it. if it does seem safe .. encourgage it as fun and as helping the family.

as a child I thought it so cool to ride the bike to jr high. as a highschooler many had cars, but I was within walking distance.

And There should be busing.

No, not at all ...... I used to ride my bike to school all the time ...... just make sure you pick out a safe way fro them to ride there and purchase a good chain and/or bike lock for it too ........ the exercise will do them good ....... plus, it will save you alot of money too ........ money that can go towards booze and whipped cream instead ...... lol

Gas saver ...... = )

If you live in a safe location, then I see nothing wrong with it. A little exercise never hurt anyone, and kids these days do not get enough.

However, I would not do it if they were young, to many pervs out there these days.

It depends on how safe you think they might be and if you think they won't stray from going directly there and back. Also, they had best be able to change a flat and take care of any other thing which might come up.