The Bike It project is run by sustainable transport charity Sustrans and works with over 400 schools and over 60,000 children and young people in communities across England and Wales. The aim is to promote cycling and walking as a real alternative to the school run.
Brookside Primary is one of eleven schools across Stockport and Rochdale that has taken advantage of the project. As well as organising fun painting days, Bike It Officers work directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school. This involves 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, Nes Brierley said: "It has been fantastic to see all the pupils, staff and parents at Brookside Primary School get behind the 'Bike It' project to help increase cycling levels at the school. The mural looks brilliant and will act as a constant reminder to future pupils about the benefits of cycling to school.
"It is vital that we give young people in communities across the country the opportunity to travel in ways, which are healthy, sustainable and fun. 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. Over the next year I hope to treble the number of pupils cycling to school."
Head teacher, Mrs Holmes said: "Bike It has been such a positive influence in Brookside Junior School and the recent day of painting has created an amazing mural, it looks fantastic and really brightens up our school playground. Sustrans have provided the necessary practical support to mean cycling to school is a real alternative to the car. I look forward to another successful year."
Bike It Officer, Nes Brierley has received £271,000 of funding from the Big Lottery's Health and Well-being fund. 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 Stockport Borough Council.
Source: Sustrans
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