Noss pupils enjoy active travel on first ‘school bike train’
Primary pupils are getting together to cycle to school in Wick from Staxigoe and various points in between in a new initiative showing the benefits of active travel.
The weekly “school bike train” began on Tuesday morning as a group of 18 children made their way safely to Noss Primary School, accompanied by adult leaders.
Pupils set off from the Staxigoe bus shelter and were joined by others as they rode into Wick and through some of the residential streets on the north side of the town.
The bike train is being trialled as a partnership between Noss Primary School and the national charity Cycling UK. It is starting each Tuesday at 8.25am, led by Fraser Thomson, the head teacher, and George Ewing, Cycling UK’s Caithness-based development officer.
Mr Ewing said: “We were delighted that 18 pupils and two parents joined us on our first train, and we hope this will grow and grow.
“Pupils, family and staff are all welcome to join the train and are encouraged to wear reflective / bright clothing, which can be provided. Bikes must be roadworthy and helmets must be worn.
“School bike trains are a great way for kids to start their school day. It encourages healthy physical habits, helps to get pupils to school on time, reduces congestion around the school and most of all it’s great fun.
“We would like to thank all the other road users we met for being so patient, and ask if you come across the train to wave to us and get a smile from the kids.”
He added: “We’re definitely going to try and run it every Tuesday until the end of this term.
“The route in Wick is ideal because it meanders through housing estates – we’re staying off the main thoroughfares as much as possible.
“If other schools are interested in doing something of a similar nature, they can get in touch with me and we can have discussions.”
Mr Ewing’s email address is george.ewing@cyclinguk.org
Mr Thomson said: “We are aiming to encourage active travel among pupils and families to promote a range of benefits linked to health and wellbeing, cost of travel and making a positive impact to the environment.
“Eighteen pupils took part on Tuesday and we’ll look to build on that. Pupils from our ELC joined in.
“We cycle in from Staxigoe with various stops along the way. Colin Davidson and Colin Chalmers both joined us for the first pedal on Tuesday and we were delighted with the turnout.”
Mr Thomson explained that the initiative follows on from a grant of £15,875.41 which enabled Noss Primary School to buy cycles and equipment for the community to access free of charge.
More than 30 bikes were acquired through Cycling UK and the UCI Legacy Cycle Share Fund. The fund encourages more people in Scotland to cycle by providing grants for schemes that give people affordable, easy and convenient access to a bike.
