Six schools across Birmingham were challenged to run their own 'Bike to School Day' by their Sustrans Bike It Officer, Rachel Hallett. A total of 320 pupils took part, with an average of 53 pupils cycling to school. Every child who cycled their way to school earned themselves a raffle ticket which was entered into a prize draw to win a bike.
The lucky winner, Alix Sandford from St Gerard's Roman Catholic School, was given the opportunity to choose her own bike, courtesy of the Sustrans Bike It project.
The Bike It project 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.
Bike It Officer, Rachel Hallett said: "I would like to congratulate all the schools that took part in the very successful 'Bike to School Days'. It was tremendous to see so many pupils, parents, and staff all getting involved and cycling to school. Over the next year we will be working together to remove or reduce barriers that are currently preventing children from pedalling to classes. Cycling to school has so many benefits for pupils such as improved health, confidence and concentration as well as the obvious benefits for the environment in which they will grow up in."
Bike It officer, Rachel Hallett has received £271,000 of funding from the Big Lottery's Health and Well-being fund and currently works with 12 schools across Birmingham.
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 Big Lottery Fund and Birmingham City 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 via the website: www.sustrans.org.uk
Source: Sustrans
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Pupil at St Gerard's Roman Catholic School wins Sustrans Bike It competition
