Sage funds new bike shed at Hadrian School
Pupils and parents from Hadrian Primary School will be cycling to school for a free bike breakfast as they celebrate the opening of their brand new bike shed and the continued success of the highly acclaimed Sustrans project, 'Bike It'. The new bike shed has been installed thanks to a £7,600 grant from the UK software company Sage donated through the Tyne and Wear Community Foundation.
Bike It is a unique project that works with over 300 schools and over 60,000 children and young people across England and Wales to encourage them to choose two wheels instead of four for the school journey.
Deputy Mayor of South Tyneside, Cllr John Anglin will officially open the bike shed and get to see at first hand how effective the Bike It project is and how valuable a new bike shed will be in continuing to promote and support cycling at the school. Hadrian Primary School is one of twelve schools across Gateshead and South Tyneside that is benefiting from the Bike It project.
Bike It works directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school - by organising cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools. Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year- bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.
Sustrans Bike It Officer, Alan Barlow said: "I would like to thank Sage for this valuable contribution to the Bike It programme. The enthusiasm of the staff and pupils at Hadrian Primary School is tremendous and we have seen levels of cycling increase from zero to around 50-60 bikes everyday. I hope to replicate this success at Hadrian Primary School across the other schools in Gateshead and South Tyneside with the continuing support of both councils."
Leigh Thompson, Sage (UK) Limited's Corporate Social Responsibility consultant said: "We're really lucky to have the opportunity to fund this project. The people at Sustrans and Hadrian School are doing some fantastic work, with the help of Gateshead and South Tyneside Councils, working with the children and families that not only helps to reduce congestion and the impact they have on the environment but also to promote a healthy lifestyle in the young people that are our regions future. It gives me a sense of pride knowing that we can make a difference to our local community and local people."
Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It is supported by the South Tyneside Council and Gateshead Council.
Staff, parents and teachers who are interested in promoting cycling and walking in their school are encouraged to call the Sustrans School Travel Team on 0117 915 0100 for free information and advice.
Further information about Sustrans and Bike It, including other news releases, is available through the Sustrans website: www.sustrans.org.uk
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Sage supports Sustrans to treble the levels of cycling at Hadrian Primary School
