Rochdale Schools Chosen For Cycling Project

Date published: 09/03/2004

Four Rochdale schools have been rewarded for their efforts to promote cycling in their schools. They will now get further help from Sustrans, the national sustainable transport organisation, giving a further boost to cycling in the wider community.

Falinge Park High School, and Shawclough, St. Patrick's, and All Saints primary schools will be helped to plan and run their own school travel plans, to arrange extra cycle training, and to advise parents and pupils on getting the most from cycling.

Each school will now agree their own priorities to tailor the support to their own needs. The schools are part of a group of just forty across the country to be chosen. Their success follows efforts to boost cycling by providing secure cycle parking, cycling training, the Bike2Learn scheme and a lottery-funded project, BikEDlinx.

BikeEDlinx is developing a network of cycle routes between Falinge Park High School and the primaries. Secure bike storage and led rides will encourage pupils to use their bikes to get to school. The project also links to other cycle routes, including disused railway lines, so that other cyclists can make recreational use of them.

Sue Brown, Head of Schools Service said, "Promoting cycling in our schools can help pupils' health and fitness, and improve attendance and punctuality. This project will make it easier for many pupils to make the most of cycling, ensuring they have the skills they need to be safe on the roads, and that their bikes are secure at school."

Parents as well as pupils will have the chance to find out more about cycling, with activities likely for the whole family to enjoy cycling. The scheme could also forge links with local cycle shops to help youngsters maintain their bikes well, and could provide opportunities for work experience.