Cycling Santa joins the St Giles bike train

Cycling Santa joined the final St Giles cycle train of the year, leading a group of children and parents on their cycle ride into school. 

St Giles’ CE Primary School launched their new cycle train in October 2011 during Cycle Shrewsbury’s Love your Bike Month. 

A cycle train is where a group of children and their parents cycle to school together with help from Cycle Shrewsbury officers. The group cycle ride has been taking place on a fortnightly basis, starting in Dark Lane and attracting up to 20 parents and children.

For the final ride of the year, cyclists were invited to dress in festive gear or accessorise their bikes. 

These fun and social rides have provided an opportunity for Cycle Shrewsbury to talk to families about their journey to school, and to promote other cycling events and services such as free adult cycle training and a Festive Bike Ride on Monday 19 December 2011 from The Quarry to The Weir and back.  More details can be found at http://www.cycleshrewsbury.co.uk/news-and-events/diary/details/174_Just_for_Fun_festive_bike_ride 

Children have been given important safety advice and have been rewarded at the end of their rides with Cycle Shrewsbury safety accessories including hi-visibility stickers and spoke reflectors.

Simon Jones, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member with responsibility for cycling, said:

“We are delighted that young children and parents have responded positively to the idea of a cycle train.  They are not only helping reduce traffic congestion but also providing their children with the health and social benefits of a group cycle ride to school.  We applaud St Giles’ School for working with us on piloting this innovative mode of school travel.”

More details of cycling events over the Christmas period are at http://www.cycleshrewsbury.co.uk or available by calling 01743 253008.