Bike It in Blyth
Richard Rothwell, Bike It officer
Contact Richard: Sustrans Blyth Active Travel Town, Richard Stannard House, 36 Bridge Street, Blyth, Northumberland, NE24 2AG
Tel: 0167 0361 485 Mob: 07501 017169 or email Richard
Richard joined Sustrans in April 2010.
My parents actively encouraged me to travel under my own steam, laughing openly if I asked for a lift! For this I am eternally grateful. No lifts to school or to my friends (or anywhere in fact) meant that the bike became the default. The excitement and fun of self-powered travel has never faded. Fun is the key word for me. There are so many good reasons to ride, but it’s The Fun that keeps me coming back for more. Over the years I have developed a passion for mountain bike racing, and hether I’m racing, riding socially or commuting it’s that childlike excitement that makes me want keep pushing the pedals. As a Bike It officer I want to share that enthusiasm with children – once you’ve got it, it never leaves.
Before Sustrans, Richard was a School Travel Plan Advisor, and almost all of his schools had cycling at the core of their plans. Richard helped them organise training, cycle parking and events.
Richards schools for 2011/12:
- Bede Academy
- Bedlington Stead Lane First School
- Bedlington West End First School
- Blyth Morpeth Road First School
- Croftway Primary School
- Holywell Village First School
- Horton Grange Primary School
- New Hartley First School
- Seghill First School
- St Andrew's RC VA First School
- St Bede's RC VA First School
What’s Richard up to?
Spring term saw many happy children on bikes in Blyth and Bedlington! Many schools enjoyed huge cycling increases, so it's clear that Sustrans' cycling culture is permeating many schools. Bling your Bike and Bling your Bike Shed sessions are a real hit with children, parents and teachers alike, as are mechanics and puncture repair classes. It's amazing how focused children can be when given tasks they really want to complete, and having such skills helps parents let their children ride to school and for play, knowing they can identify or resolve simple mechanical issues.
Bike skills games are fun, and I hope to develop such activities this summer, maybe getting them into School Sports Days. Bike Olympics anyone? I'm recruiting more schools for 2011/2012. Get in touch if interested and let's hope they are as enthusiastic as this year's.
How we use cookies