Mountain-Biking Challenge Promotes Healthy Travel

Students have tackled ramps, balancing beams and see-saws in cycling skills training designed to promote healthy travel.

Students from Grace Academy Solihull pitted their wits against a variety of challenges on a mountain-biking obstacle course organised by Centro, the West Midlands public transport co-ordinator.

Centro is promoting cycling in schools across the West Midlands, encouraging youngsters to improve their skills and safety on two wheels and to get into the habit of choosing cycling as a good way to get around.

Student Amy Bill, who took part in the training, said:

“I really loved it, the best reward to be given, and I am going to start riding a lot more.”

The cycle training sessions form part of the ‘Smart Network Smarter Choices’ programme, a £50 million government-funded project promoting greener travel options to help cut carbon emissions and boost local health, jobs and the economy.

Lee Watson, sustainable travel officer at Centro said:

“These events aim to help youngsters develop cycling skills and confidence, while having fun at the same time.

“It’s good to introduce the idea at a young age that cycling can be a preferred mode of travel, not just to keep people fit and healthy but also to cut congestion on our roads.  That’s the message we hope the students take away from the sessions.”

Expert instructors from cycle training company BikeRight! deliver the training programme for Centro.  Speaking about the benefits to students of the cycle training, Matt Spina added:

“Some of the students were quite nervous about giving the obstacles a try, but they all went for it and really grew in confidence each time around the course. At the end, they were all commenting about how they want to start riding more regularly because of what they achieved.”