Bike Week promotes eco-friendly travel
24 Jun 2019 ARCHIVED (over 3 months old) - view latest news
Schools from across Northumberland have been taking part in National Bike Week, with 24 schools and almost 5,000 pupils signed up to this annual celebration that inspires us all to give cycling a try.
Bike Week is delivered by Cycling UK and is a great opportunity to celebrate the social, health and environmental benefits of cycling.
In Northumberland, Go Smarter works with schools to encourage more pupils to cycle to school, which has many advantages including; keeping fit and active, reducing traffic and improving air quality around our schools.
Cllr Wayne Daley, cabinet member for children's services at Northumberland County Council, said: “This initiative is a testament to how committed our schools are to get more pupils cycling to school not just during Bike Week, but throughout the year.
“As a Council we are committed to making our wonderful county both cleaner and greener, and promoting cycling in schools is a fantastic way to ensure future generations use more eco-friendly ways to travel.”
Tracy Aitken, School Travel Plan Advisor, added: “Schools have been taking part in the Northumberland Cycle Challenge to see who has the highest percentage of pupils cycling to school during Bike Week. They have embraced the challenge and delivered additional activities during the week, ranging from bikers breakfasts and bling-your-bikes to cycle playtimes and sponsored cycle rides.”
Schools can still get involved in cycling activities this summer as part of the OVO Energy Tour of Britain which is returning to the North East as the North of Tyne hosts the third stage of the race on Monday 9 September.
There are opportunities to adopt a team, get to know who cycles for them, who their sponsors are, what other races they compete in and cheer them on as they pass near your school.
This will be the first ever stage to link all of the areas of the North of Tyne Combined Authority, with the route taking in Northumberland, North Tyneside and Newcastle Upon Tyne.
For further information on schools opportunities, please see the North of Tyne Tour of Britain website: www.northoftyne-tob.co.uk/schools-information and complete an online form by Friday 28 June.