Bike It in Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Here are the region's four cycling officers.
Ryan Evans - joined Sustrans in November 2008
Read Ryan's latest news (pdf) here. Contact Ryan: Bike It officer, Sustrans, 2 Cathedral Sq, College Green, Bristol BS1 5D. Tel: 0117 915 0490, mobile 07500 833 149.
"I hope to show the children that cycling can be safe and fun. It gives kids so much freedom and teaches them many valuable skills while developing a real sense of responsibility, whilst doing something to help the environment."
Before Sustrans, Ryan was a History, Geography and Religious Studies teacher. He's also been a museum curator, chef, tour guide and postman, and has campaigned for environmental, human rights and development issues.
Ryan's schools for 2011/12:
- Abottswood Primary School
- Beacon Rise Primary School
- Bowsland Green Primary School
- Blackhorse Primary School
- Cadbury Heath Primary School
- Cherry Garden Primary School
- Christ Church C of E Primary School
- Coniston Primary School
- Fairfield High School
- Filton Hill Primary School
- Hanham High School
- Longwell Green Primary School
- Mangotsfield School
- Redfield Edge Primary School
- Park Primary School
- Parkwall Primary School
- Redfield Edge Primary School
- St Barnabas CE Primary School
- St Chad's Patchway CE Primary School
- St Mary's Catholic Primary School
- St Michael's CE Primary
- St Stephen's C of E VC Junior School
- Staple Hill Primary School
- The Tynings Primary School
- The Park Primary School
- Wheatfield Primary School
- Yate International Academy Woodlands
What's Ryan up to?
Ryan has been busy recruiting and setting up new Sustrans bike it project schools and is delighted to welcome Blackhorse Primary, Coniston Primary, Filton Hill Primary and Yate International Academy Woodlands to the project!
Many of the more experienced Sustrans bike it project schools have been busy running their own events this term, including Bike Breakfasts, Be Safe Be Seen, Bling your Bike and much more. A couple of the highlights were the grand opening of Parkwall Primary’s new cycle shelter, with the local MP cutting the ribbon and a delicious breakfast of freshly cooked pancakes provided by the head teacher, and an exciting day of bike powered electricity generating at Beacon Rise, with children powering a radio, lots of lights and even a Scalectrix track!
Emma Parker - joined Sustrans in November 2009
Read Emma's latest news (pdf). Contact Emma: Bike It officer, Sustrans, Brunel House, St George's road, Bristol, BS1 5UY. Tel: 07500 833 132 (mob) or email Emma.
"I am thrilled to work with Sustrans, as Bike It is a fantastic opportunity to help children and their families in so many ways. From a young age I have been inspired to look after our world, and to work in a role where I can help children live a more sustainable lifestyle is such a privilege."
Emma has a degree in Environmental Science. Before Sustrans, she worked as a primary school teacher and Environmental Education officer. She also volunteers for Eco Schools as a green flag assessor.
Emma's schools for 2011/12:
- Ashley Down Primary School
- Ashton Vale Primary School
- Christ Church C of E Primary School
- Compass Point and South Street School
- Elmlea Junior School
- Fair Furlong Primary School
- Filton Avenue Junior School
- Four Acres Primary School
- Gay Elms Primary School
- Hareclive Primary School
- Holymead Junior School
- Knowle Park Primary School
- Little Mead Primary School
- Southville Primary School
- St Mary Redcliffe & Temple School
- St Mary Redcliffe Church of England (VC) Primary School
- Stoke Bishop Church of England Primary School
- The Red Maids School
What happened last term?
Wow! What a fantastic start to this academic year! Pupils have taken the lead this term by recording cyclist numbers, running competitions and having loads of fun in the process. Some of the highlights have been Be Bright days, family rides and picnics, equipment sales and the ever popular Spin Paint bike. Inspired by the paint spinner, budding inventors designed their own crazy bike powered inventions. One pupil came up with a pedal powered money making machine – now that really ought to get more people on their bikes!
Ian Tsang - joined Sustrans in April 2009
Contact Ian: c/o Sustrans, Brunel House, St George's road, Bristol, BS1 5UY. Tel: 07787 434 281 (mob) or email Ian.
"I can't wait to start promoting the benefits of cycling to children and adults. I'm looking forward to the sight of school bike stores brimming with bikes!"
Before Joining the Bike It team Ian worked as a learning officer at the At-Bristol Science Centre. He has an ecology degree and has explored the environments of Australia and South East Asia.
Ian's schools for 2011/12:
- Begbrook Primary School
- Henleaze Junior School
- Luckwell Primary School
- Summerhill Junior School
- Longwell Green Primary School
- Whitehall Primary School
- Westbury-on-Trym CE Primary School
- Bedminster Down School
- Fairfield High School
- Cheddar Grove Primary School
- Hillfields Primary School
- New Oak Primary
- Blaise Primary School
- Lockleaze Primary School
- May Park Primary School
- Chester Park Junior School
- Henbury School
- St Joseph's Catholic Primary School
- Our Lady of the Rosary Catholic Primary School
- St Matthias and Dr Bells Primary School
- Wansdyke Primary School
What's Ian up to now?
Ian has been saying goodbye to some amazing champions who have been great at encouraging cycling to their schools. In their place lots of new champions are now working hard to encourage sustainable transport to their schools.
It’s been a really mild autumn which has meant lots of good cycling weather. New Bike It School St Matthias and Dr Bells Primary had an amazing bike week where everyone had the chance to go on a bike ride down the Bristol and Bath path, some even made it has far as Warmly Station to have an ice cream.
After a lot of hard work Whitehall Primary and their local community have been awarded special funding to redesign their local roads to make a more friendly environment for walkers, cyclists and residents. Lots of people have contributed ideas and plans are underway. An amazing street party in November gave the community a taste of what is to some later on in 2012.
With the nights and mornings getting darker we have been holding lots of Be Bright events in schools; assemblies, dress up days, high viz treasure hunts have been really fun. Hillfields Primary did a twist on the bike bling theme and came up with Bike-O-Ween where students went on a ghoulish parade of spooky bikes.
Thank you to everyone who got involved with events in Autumn!
Joe Bigwood - joined Sustrans in November 2011
Contact Joe: Bike It officer, Sustrans, Brunel House, St George's road, Bristol, BS1 5UY. Tel: 07760 883382 (mob) or email Joe
“Bike It is a fantastic project and I’m really proud to be a part of it. Having been a teacher in Bike It schools I have seen just what a difference it can make and how much fun the kids can have. I am really looking forward to working in schools with the children and I hope to be able to share my passion for cycling with them.”
“Ever since I sat on my first 'proper' bike, a beautiful chrome Raider BMX, I haven't really stopped. On-road, off-road, pootling along or struggling up a hill, I just love riding my bike!”
“When I’m not on my bike you may well find me out walking my dogs (sometimes more like them walking me) or perhaps in the kitchen cooking up a storm.”
Before joining Sustrans Joe was a primary school teacher specialising in physical activity. He has also volunteered for the Bike It School Mark team, giving him more useful experience of what Bike It is all about.
Joe's Schools for 2011/12
- St Werburgh's Primary School
- Parson Street Primary School
- Sea Mills Primary School
- Waycroft Academy
What’s Joe up to?
At the moment I’m in the process of selecting new schools for the Bike It project. This is a really exciting time as it means that there’s going to be a whole new group of children in Bristol getting the benefits of Bike It. I have also been spending some time going out with Emma, Ian and Ryan to see the great work they’ve been doing in schools which has been brilliant.