Funding sets wheels in motion for Skerton High Bike Loan Scheme
Pupils at a Lancaster 'Bike It' school are set to benefit from a pioneering new cycle project.
Pupils at a Lancaster 'Bike It' school are set to benefit from a pioneering new cycle project.
Funding worth over £20,000 has been allocated to Skerton High School, Lancaster to get a much needed cycle loan facility for their pupils well and truly off the ground.
Students at the high school are already making the most of being one of the district's Sustrans Bike It Schools, but a recent survey showed that the main reason why some of the children did not cycle was because they did not have a bike.
Earlier this year, a bid for funding was submitted to the Lancashire Drug and Alcohol Team by the school’s Sustrans Bike It Officer in partnership with Lancaster City Council’s Cycling Demonstration Town Project and the District’s Community Safety Partnership. The overall aim of the funding was to help disadvantaged children reap the benefits of cycling alongside their friends.
With £20,750 to spend on 25 bikes, cycling accessories, maintenance equipment and an extension to the school's cycle storage facility, it is hoped that the scheme will be up and running by the end of the month.
Commenting on the good news, Chris Snell, Deputy Head Teacher of Skerton High said: "We are delighted to have been given this funding to launch our cycle loan scheme. The bikes and additional equipment this project will provide will be of great benefit to the youngsters in our school. As well as a healthy method of travelling to school, it will also give the pupils a degree of independence, pride and additional responsibility."
Pupils will be carefully selected from years seven and eight and in return for a bike they can call their own until leaving the school, will be required to attend bike maintenance classes, training and take advantage of the variety of cycling activities and advice already on offer through the Sustrans Bike It Project at their school.
Coun Eileen Blamire, Chair of the Lancaster District Community Safety Partnership and Lancaster City Council cabinet member with responsibility for cycling said: "Once again I am very pleased to see real joint working taking place between agencies. Lancaster City Council is pleased to be involved in such a worthwhile project."
Date Updated: 19/03/09