Free breakfasts for young cyclists

Sustrans continues its campaign to encourage young people to get into cycling with a free bike breakfast and bike skills session provided by the Bike It project.

Pupils from Whipton Barton Junior School in Exeter will kick off the spring term with a free bike MOT from the Exeter Bikeshed and the first of five bike breakfasts to be held in schools across Exeter.

Pupils will then get a chance to put their cycling skills to the test with Amy O’loughlin, the Devon County Council cycle instructor.

Sustrans Bike It Officer, Liz Kop said: “I am delighted that Whipton Barton Junior School has joined the Bike It project, the staff and pupils are really enthusiastic about increasing the cycling levels at the school.”

“I would like to thank Cycling Exeter and Devon County Council for their continued support of the Sustrans Bike It project. 2009 looks set to be another great year with a new bike shed due to be built shortly thanks to Cycling Exeter.”

Meanwhile at the other end of the country the Mayor of Darlington, Cllr Ian Haszeldine, is doing his part to help Bike It officers encourage more children to take up cycling. To celebrate the launch of the project at Longfield School, Darlington, pupils will saddle up to greet the mayor, who will cut the red ribbon on the school’s brand new bike sheds tomorrow.

Pupils will then be treated to a free Bike It healthy breakfast while police community support officers securely mark their bikes.

Longfield School is one of 12 schools in Darlington taking part in the Sustrans Bike It project.