Alameda Elementary School students participate in a bike bus on Wednesday, September 14, 2022 in Portland.© Vickie Connor | The Oregonian/oregonlive.com/TNS

The Portland group that organizes chaperoned bike rides so clusters of kids can get to school in “bike buses” wants Justin Timberlake to saddle up with them, and it looks like a couple million people want to see that happen, too.

Samuel Balto, a Portland Public Schools physical education teacher behind BikeBusPDX, started the program on Earth Day 2022. Every Wednesday, Balto and his group of eager students and families hop on their bikes and pedal their way to school, rain or shine. Several other schools in Portland have followed suit.

“It’s a great way to start the day,” Balto said. “It helps the kids get exercise and improves their mental health, too.”

Balto took his community initiative to the next level at the start of October with a viral video posted on Instagram and TikTok, where he invited Timberlake to join the weekly ride. The response was overwhelming — his TikTok video quickly racked up over 5 million views, and the Instagram post neared 2 million views.

Why Timberlake? According to Balto, the answer is simple. “‘Cuz he’s awesome,” he said. “I grew up listening to him. He’s got a lot of generational reach — everyone knows who Justin Timberlake is.”

The idea to invite Timberlake came from a neighbor who shared a video on social media of the pop star riding bikes with his dancers, inspiring Balto to dream big. Timberlake’s upcoming Portland show at the Moda Center on Jan. 13 sealed the deal, making what seemed like a fantasy a potential reality.

In a delightful twist, fans have flooded the comments asking for “The Tonight Show” host Jimmy Fallon to join the ride as well. Balto was all for it, imagining Timberlake and Fallon on a tandem bike. “I honestly didn’t realize how closely intertwined they were,” Balto said. “It would be cool if they rode with us together.”

This isn’t the first time a celebrity has been invited to join Bike Bus. Last year, Balto reached out to the band AJR, successfully getting their bassist to join a ride.

Normally, BikeBusPDX meets on Wednesdays, but Balto said he’s willing to adjust that for Timberlake’s schedule if it means the pop star can take part.

Balto has been overwhelmed by the support Bike Bus has received and plans to dedicate more time to building the initiative. He’s currently developing BikeBusWorld, a global version of the movement aimed at supporting people who want to start “bike buses” in their own communities.

Balto emphasized the importance of physical activity and mobility for children, noting that biking helps set kids up for success both physically and academically.

“I think it’s pretty important to prioritize children’s mobility and physical activity especially when it sets kids up for success at school,” said Balto. “We should do everything we can to create a safe environment for kids to do things like rollerblade, go walking, biking so they can be successful with independence and autonomy.”

When asked about Timberlake’s recent conviction for impaired driving, Balto steered clear of the topic, focusing instead on the positive impact the Bike Bus movement has on children and the community.

“I think that Justin Timberlake joining the Bike Bus would set a great example for how people can get around — on a bike — for everyday transportation,” he wrote in an email.

For now, Balto and millions of viewers await Timberlake’s response, hoping to see him — and maybe Fallon — on a bike in Portland soon.