Wheelie good fun for kids during Bike Week
Children in Leeds are being challenged to get on their bikes as part of the UK’s biggest ever Bike Fix promotion.
Saturday 18 June marks the start of Bike Week and organisers are hoping that thousands of bicycles will be taken out of storage, fixed up and put back to use on roads and tracks right across the country.
72 Schools across Leeds are taking part so far 61 primary schools and 9 high schools, have arranged events for pupils at their schools during bike week ( 18 – 26 June ).
These events range from Community Rides and cycle training, to route planning and cycle maintenance events, to encourage as many pupils to get on their bikes as possible.
Leeds City Council’s school travel team and NHS Leeds have joined forces and are holding a prize draw for pupils who cycle or scoot at each school who have registered their event. Prizes include iPod touch and iPod Nanos, a bicycle, a scooter, Nintendo DS3D to name a few. The winners of the top three prizes from secondary schools and the top three winners from primary schools will be invited to receive their prizes from Lord Mayor, Councillor Reverend Alan Taylor on July the 11th At Leeds Civic Hall. Additionally we have sent the schools posters, stickers, balloons and spokies curtsey of Team Green Britain
Leeds City Council’s school travel and road safety teams are working with five schools from the Middleton and Hunslet area and will be taking part in an event on Thursday 23 June 2011.
Fifty Year 6 Pupils from Middleton Primary School, Middleton St Marys Church of England Primary School, and Westwood Primary School, will be cycling from their schools to Cockburn High. Whilst 10 Year 6 Pupils from each of Windmill Primary School and Hunslet Carr will be cycling to South Leeds Academy. Pupils will be shown where they will be able to park their cycles when they start their high schools in the next academic year, before they continue their journey along the ‘Middleton to Leeds City Centre Cycle Route’ to The Works on Kitson Street. The pupils will be shown how to use the ramps and have lunch before making the return journey to school. The children will also be given the chance to have there bikes safety checked by Dr Bike provided by Edinburgh Cycles whilst at The Works.
Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member responsible for development said:
“The theme of this year’s Bike Week is all about encouraging People to get their old bikes fixed and explore their local community on two wheels.”
“There are lots of events taking place, which will appeal to cyclists of all ages and abilities, so if you are new to cycling or just out of practice – Bike Week can help you get back into the saddle and get the most out of your bike.”
“Cycling has proven health and fitness benefits and can help beat traffic congestion and pollution, so making the switch from a car to a bike whenever possible really is a winning solution.”
Meanwood Church of England Primary School will be holding cycle days during the week, where pupils from the school will be cycling around the park.
Bramley Primary School will be holding a fun cycling day for pupils and staff promoting cycle skills with element of competition on cycle control.
Boston Spa School are arranging a family ride for the community on 10am -12pm on Saturday 25 June and will be inviting local primary schools to attend. This will be a leisurely 8 mile circular ride from Boston Spa High School Car park to Wetherby along cycle paths and the disused railway line.
David Young Community Academy and Grange Farm Primary School are planning to Complete rides along the newly opened Wykebeck Way Cycle Route. 16 schools across the city will be taking part in Bikeabillity training.
7 schools will have there training delivered by Leeds City Council’s Road Safety Promotions Unit and a further 9 schools will have their training delivered by The Schools Sports Partnership Bikeabillity Team.