Bike It in Reigate and Banstead
Gayle Rowson - Bike It officer
Gayle, a Cycling England Personality of the Month shares her time between schools in Reigate and Banstead, and her new Bike It region of Crawley (news coming soon). Read Gayle's latest Bike It news online.
Contact Gayle: Bike It officer, Policy and Regeneration, Reigate and Banstead Borough Council, Town Hall, Castlefield Rd, Reigate RH2 0SH. Tel: 07876 236121 or email Gayle.
Gayle joined Sustrans in May 2007
"Being a Bike It Officer is a great way to share my passion for the outdoors with children and show them how much fun biking can be, whilst promoting sport, a healthy lifestyle, and sustainable transport. Being able to cycle is a great skill to have: it encourages children to be independent, resourceful and explorers. Watch my short film about Bike It on YouTube, to see how local bike shops are supporting the project, too."
Before Sustrans Gayle taught PE and tutored children with behavioural problems, and coached sport for council-run holiday schemes. I have worked 3 ski seasons and travelled in Canada, New Zealand, South East Asia and America. Mountain biking is my latest passion - I'm always looking for new challenges and am often found riding into the unknown."
Gayle's Schools for 2010/11:
- Banstead Community Junior School
- Holmesdale Community Infant School
- Kingswood Primary School
- Merstham Primary School
- Priory Preparatory School
- Royal Alexandra and Albert School
- Shawley Primary School
- St Anne's Catholic Primary School
- St Bede's School
- The Beacon School
- Walton-on-the-Hill Primary School
- Yattendon School
What's Gayle up to?
Gayle is now working with schools in Crawley too - watch this space for further news. about that. Back in Reigate and Banstead, 15 schools took part in this year's Big Pedal, with children, parents and staff making an incredible 14,606 journeys to school by bike in just 15 school days. This year's local winner Walton-on-the-Hill Primary school finished a fantastic 47th in the country out of the 850 schools that took part nationally!
In March, Gayle spent two days at the area's first Bike It infant school, teaching 200 children basic cycle and scooter skills on the playground. The children really enjoyed it, some of whom had not been long off stabilisers! Gayle says she was spoilt for choice for parent helpers, who were very keen to get involved and said how useful the sessions had been. Out of the 15 schools who took part locally Holmesdale Infants came third and made a massive 1850 journeys to bike by school in just 15 days.