National Bike Week , 9-15th June, sees a host of activities happening in communities and schools, see below for ideas how to get your local school in the saddle:
Top tips and ideas for organising a ‘Big Bike Day’ at school
- Organise a day well in advance and go ahead whatever the weather!
- ‘Dr Bike’ – ask a local bike shop if they can come and fix small things like punctures on the spot, and give estimates for larger repairs.
- Early involvement from the whole school helps. Working on maps fits the curriculum.
- Print a personalised map of your school and the surrounding area, and see mapping lesson idea http://cyps.northyorks.gov.uk/index.aspx?articleid=23172
- Speak to your local NYCC Road Safety Officer regarding Bikeability Cycle Training (0845 8727374).
- The emphasis is on the whole family. Getting large numbers of families reduces the embarrassment factor. All the wobbly mums and dads are in it together.
- Free bacon butties for bikers is an incentive for adults and children alike.
- A raffle for a new bike is a big incentive. Every set of handlebars coming onto the site gets a raffle ticket (e.g. a tandem gets 2). If you bring 2 adults and a sister you get quadruple your chance. You will need local sponsorship for prizes.
- Organise fun cycling activities and games on the playground.
- A parental permission form is a useful way of estimating numbers of participants.
- Helmets and high visibility clothing are recommended. The best person to judge whether a route is safe is the person who knows the child best, i.e. the parents / carers.
- Sustrans http://www.sustrans.org.uk/our-services/who-we-work/teachers/bike-school-week
- Le Tour – Cycle Yorkshire education pack http://cycle.yorkshire.com/education-pack
- Have fun!