Bike It events
Dorset pupils receive award for cycling to school
On Monday 17 October, Parley First School in Ferndown, Dorset, will receive a bronze School Mark Award from, Sustrans, for its dedication to transforming the journey to school, by encouraging more pupils to cycle.
A ceremony is being held at the school where Councillor Geoff Dark will present the award to congratulate children, parents and teachers for their efforts in increasing pupils cycling levels. Since Sustrans began working with the school in September 2010 many children have tried cycling to school for the first time and the numbers who cycle regularly have also increased.
Children get shelter for cycles at a Morecambe primary
On Wednesday 12th October a new cycle storage facility will be unveiled at St Mary’s Primary School in Morecambe, to house the increased number of bicycles that children are riding to the school.
The number of children cycling to school at least once or twice a week has quadrupled since Sustrans began working with the school in 2008. The charity works with the school, pupils and parents encourage children to choose two wheels for the school run. Chair of Governors Mrs Sue Grubic will officially cut the ribbon on the shelter in a special ceremony that will congratulate children on transforming the school run.
Pedaling pupils get rewards in Edinburgh
Over 60 children and parents from Wardie Primary School in Edinburgh are expected to take to two wheels for the school run to claim a free bikers breakfast as part of a cycling project with Sustrans Scotland.
To celebrate the partnership between the school and the charity and to get the project’s wheels in motion, every pupil and parent who cycles to school will receive a free breakfast of croissants, fruit, yoghurt and juice.
To officially launch the project that encourages children to cycle, Sustrans I Bike officer Lynn Stocks awarded the school with a Sustrans banner and signed certificate at a special assembly last month. Over the next year Lynn will work with the teachers, pupils and parents to encourage children to get to school under their own steam.
Pupils pedal for free breakfast and bike check
On Thursday 29 September, over 50 children and parents are expected to cycle to Hatfield Travis St Lawrence Primary School in Hatfield for a free ‘bikers breakfast’, before grabbing an appointment with the ‘Bike Doctor’.
The Breakfast and ‘Dr Bike’ session have been organised by Sustrans as part of the charity’s work with the school to encourage children to cycle. All pupils and parents that cycle to the school can enjoy a free healthy breakfast whilst Dr. Bike is in hand to safety check children’s bikes for free.
Pupils pedal for ‘freewheelin’ Fridays
On Monday 18 July, Sustrans Bike It Officer for Blackpool, Emma Peasland, awarded one lucky pupil at St Nicholas CE Primary School with a brand new bike in a special awards assembly.
The assembly is the culmination of a term of fierce competition between children who have been cycling to school for ‘Freewheeling Fridays’ - an initiative to encourage children to cycle to school at least once a week. The competition has seen around 30 children cycling to school each Friday to become the lucky winner.
Pedal Picnic brings pupils together
On Monday 11 July, Councillor Ford joined pupils from Oakfield Primary School for a bike ride and picnic at Hendre Lake in St Mellons to congratulate them on their efforts in cycling. Pupils from Bishops Childs Primary School in St Mellons took part in a similar ride, meeting Oakfield pupils at the picnic site for a delicious lunch and team building activities.
The Pedal Picnic saw over 60 parents and pupils take part on their bicycles, proving that cycling is not only a fast and accessible way to get around, but that it can also be a tool for building community cohesion and personal independence.