It’s an exciting week for schools across Derby city as Cycle Derby’s Active Travel Tour kicks off at Bishop Lonsdale and St John Fisher Primary Schools on Thursday!
Joined by World Record Breaking Cyclist and Mental Health Ambassador Leigh Timmis and 5x British and European Champion Cyclist Danny Butler, the Tour marks the start of Cycle Derby’s pledge that no child will leave primary education in Derby unable to ride a bike.
The Tour, which will run over the coming weeks, will see 12 lucky schools across the city enjoy an inspirational assembly from Leigh, focussing on the importance of exercise for mental wellbeing and inspiring kids to be the very best they can be, in whatever they chose. This will then be followed by an exciting stunt display from the Extreme Mountain Bike Show’s Danny Butler.
Most importantly, following the tour, all schools in Derby will be offered a package of incentives from Cycle Derby, Derby City Council and other partners to encourage them to become more active in how they travel. Everyone including staff, pupils, parents and carers - plus local communities and businesses - will be included.
With the Covid-19 pandemic shining a light on the positive impacts of exercise and active travel methods, such as cycling, there has never been a better time for young people in Derby to get involved with the Cycle Derby programme.
Mark Smith, Cycle Derby Officer, commented:
At Cycle Derby we are committed to getting as many people as mentally and physically active as we can.
Our Active Travel Tour is going to be such a fantastic opportunity for children across the city to hear from some of the world's best cycling mentors. We can't wait to get pedalling!
We're also committed to our ambitious promise that no child in the city will leave year six of school without being able to ride.
The tour is in support of the Council’s infrastructure improvement programme (funded through Transforming Cities and Active Travel Funds). As everyone takes steps to improve their health and reduce their impact on the climate, the Council's infrastructure improvement programme will give a much needed boost to cycling infrastructure making it easier than ever to choose clean, green and active travel methods to get around the city.