Pupils urged to get cycling during Bike to School Week

Cheshire West and Chester Council is encouraging pupils across the borough to cycle to school during this year’s national Bike to School Week (27 September to 1 October).

The national event, organised by Sustrans and supported by the Bikeability Trust, celebrates cycling to school and the positive impact an active lifestyle can have on pupils’ health and wellbeing.

Choosing a more active form of travel to get to school, such as walking, cycling or scooting, will also help cut air pollution near the school gates and will help towards the borough’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2045 as part of the Council’s commitment to tackle the Climate Emergency.

The Council’s Road Safety Team organises free Bikeability courses at both primary and secondary schools across the borough, providing pupils with important road safety knowledge and the bike skills to confidently ride their bike to school.  Free courses for families and adult would-be commuters are also available.

Councillor Karen Shore, Deputy Leader and Cabinet Member for Environment, Highways and Strategic Transport said: “It’s great that families have been getting active and heading out on their bikes to explore the local area. We’ve been encouraging families to keep this up as schools opened for the autumn term and lots of schools have signed up to our Bikeability courses to support their pupils to ride safely.

“Active travel, such as cycling, provides a range of physical and mental health benefits for our children and helps set them up for a great day of learning in the classroom. Using the journey to school to get active will not only benefit your child’s health but will also improve the air quality in our communities.”

Comments from parents and guardians about the Bikeability courses include:

“I couldn’t recommend this more and I’m hugely grateful for it. My youngest child has really struggled with confidence riding and the course has transformed his ability. Both instructors were so kind and helpful. I still can’t believe this opportunity was available, thank you so, so much.”

“George had an absolutely fantastic time and the whole experience boosted his confidence dramatically. Thank you.”

“We did our training with Mike. When we got home Seth couldn't wait to show everyone what he had learned. We really hope bike right offers more sessions in the next holidays. We really enjoyed, and Mike was amazing. Thank you”

Parents are also advised to check their school's website and social media channels regularly for the latest information from their school and details about drop off and pick up arrangements.