Dear Parent/Carer
Welcome to Bike It! St Michael’s Primary School has been successful in its application to be a Bike It school and is now one of only 16 schools in South Gloucester to be part of the Bike It project. St Michael’s is joining a network of schools across the country that are running this exciting project which works to increase the number of children cycling to school. I am your Bike It Officer and will be working closely with the school, your child and you, to encourage responsible cycling into school.
There are lots of reasons for promoting cycling:
· It is one of the best forms of exercise for young people and is the way that over 40% of children say they would like to come to school, according to national travel surveys.
· It is not only great fun, but teaches children vital road safety skills which keep them safe for life as well as helping provide alternatives for parents who currently drive their children to school.
· It is good for the environment and helps cut down traffic congestion and air pollution in the area around the school.
I work for the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans, (the people behind the National Cycle Network), and alongside South Gloucestershire Council and the
Bristol
Cycling
City
team. We will look at how we can work together with the school to remove as many barriers as possible so that your child can enjoy cycling to school.
I will be working with working with staff, parents and pupils to promote cycling through a range of exciting events, classroom sessions and activities that everyone can get involved in. This project is being funded as part of the
Bristol
Cycling
City
initiative and is one of a wide range of projects to make the greater
Bristol
area a healthier and more environmentally friendly place to live.
If you would like to help with the Bike It project, volunteers are always needed for activities such as cycle training, after school clubs, bike rides and helping out at events. If you think you can help or have any great ideas for the project, please get in touch with me or Mrs Dolan, who is the school’s Bike It Champion.
We encourage responsible cycling, so please make sure that your child is properly equipped and that their bike is in a roadworthy condition. Some of the events coming up are Bike Breakfasts (free breakfast and prizes for everyone who rides to school), Dr Bike (free bike safety check and servicing), after school clubs and lots of bike-related competitions. Over the next few weeks I will be consulting with pupils to find out what they think about cycling and I hope to come to a parents evening soon where I can address any questions or issues you may have. Look out for a Bike It notice board which will be going up soon with more information about these and other events.
I look forward to meeting you soon
Ryan Evans
Bike It Officer
Email: ryan.evans@sustrans.org.uk
Tel: 0117 9150490
Mobile
: 07500 833149
