Innovative cycling scheme in sight for Tewkesbury schools
Count Me In! is teaming up with national community cycling group Get Cycling to teach Tewkesbury schoolchildren innovative ways in which bikes can change their life.
Get Cycling is planning to run bike roadshows at up to 10 schools in the five Tewkesbury wards teaching children, from reception age to sixth form, the importance of cycling for health, fun, practicality and the environment.
As part of CMI’s provision of activities to promote healthier living for Tewkesbury residents, the Government-funded programme is organising an array of cycling activities across Tewkesbury during 2010. CMI is encouraging schools to get involved with the programme by providing free Get Cycling roadshows for their pupils.
Emma Shibli, cycling officer at the County Council said: “This is a wonderful opportunity for schoolchildren in Tewkesbury to learn new life skills and become healthier and happier whilst having fun. We are delighted that ‘Get Cycling’ will be working with the CMI Programme to deliver this great project”
Get Cycling activity days include a lively assembly presentation featuring a dramatic, educational treatment of the main issues: cycling for health, fun, practicality and the environment. The Get Cycling team then explains the wonders of cycle technology and for older children there is a demonstration on cycle maintenance.
Children are then taken on a series of bike try-out sessions, where they have the opportunity to try out some truly exotic cycles. They are invited to take part in try-out sessions during which school staff and parents can learn about family cycling and see demonstrations in child trailers, kiddi-bikes and tandems.
Jim McGurn, Managing Director, Get Cycling, said: “We are delighted to be working with Count Me In! on these innovative events which will encourage and support young people in Tewkesbury to be healthier and happier. We use cycling as a platform for this, with a range of ideas and options for lifestyle change, also involving parents.”
Representatives from 10 invited schools are due to meet with Count Me In! and representatives from Get Cycling on Tuesday (Jan 19th) for a demonstration and to sign up for a roadshow.