Pedal Power!
Pupils at Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy put their Bikeability skills into practice last week as Lincs Inspire coaches organised a special cycle bus to celebrate Cycle to School Week.
Lincs Inspire’s Sports Development Coordinator, Sarah Starkey, explained the aim behind the initiative: “Cycle to school week is a great opportunity for families to take a new route to the school gate, one that’s healthier, cheaper and a whole lot more fun!
“We wanted to encourage children to use the skills they learned in their Bikeability training, including hand signals, priorities and being at a junction.”
For pupils, cycling is about more than getting from A to B. It offers an opportunity to enjoy the outdoors, spend time with friends and develop independence.
Thea, a pupil at Lisle Marsden, said: “I love to ride my bike because I love being in nature, smelling clean air and riding with my friends. I’ve learned how to signal, cross roads safely, do emergency stops and also have fun!”
Fellow pupil Kweku also highlighted how Bikeability has helped him understand the importance of road safety, including skills he can share with others.
“Cycling makes me feel happy and free. I love Bikeability because when I’m riding my bike at home I don’t always think of safety measures, like the indications for left and right turns. Now I can teach my friends, and they can ride safely too.”
Being active outdoors can support children’s physical and mental wellbeing, helping to boost mood and provide a positive start to the day. Cycling with friends can also strengthen social connections, while learning new skills builds confidence and self-belief.
Choosing to cycle rather than travel by car can benefit the wider community too, helping to reduce congestion and emissions around school gates and encouraging more sustainable travel habits.
Lincs Inspire’s Bikeability coaches work with schools across North East Lincolnshire, helping children develop their cycling abilities, road awareness and confidence.
Dan Kinsely, headteacher at Lisle Marsden Church of England Primary Academy, explained why the training has been so valuable:
“Each year the team come to the school and work with children in years five and six. They help to build their road safety and confidence riding a bike. They also teach an awareness of traffic, giving the children a better understanding of themselves and others.
“The children have two full days of training, starting off nice and easy on the playground, where they can develop basic skills, understand how to use their brakes properly, being safe, and spatial awareness, before learning how to navigate roads safely, including junctions, signalling and interacting with other road users. It’s a good life skill and I’d encourage all schools to take part.”
Ready to Get Cycling?
Lincs Inspire also offers one-to-one cycling courses for children and adults who want to learn to ride, build confidence or develop their skills before taking part in Bikeability. Sessions are tailored to each learner and provide supportive, individual coaching at their own pace. Bike hire and a helmet are available where required.
One-to-one hourly sessions take place at Bradley Football Development Centre after school during term-time and on certain days during the school holidays.
For more information about Bikeability and One-to-one Cycling, see our Cycle Skills web page.
