187 bikes donated to schools as cycling scheme concludes

• Set, Pedal – Go! saw more than 660 children learn to ride bikes over 12 months.
• 16 schools benefitted from donations made to mark the end of scheme.
• Donated bikes will be made available to youngsters who don't have their own.

More than 180 bikes have been donated to Leicestershire schools to get pupils cycling. 16 schools benefitted as the Set, Pedal - Go! Scheme drew to a close.

In total, 187 bicycles were donated as part of the successful Active Together scheme aimed at getting children from lower income backgrounds to learn how to cycle.

Moira Primary School was one of those to benefit and received 10 of the bikes.

Vicky Santy, Head of School, said: "This is an amazing opportunity for our children and families. We can't wait to get our children active and healthy by riding bikes safely, both in school and within the local community."

The bikes were donated to schools with higher numbers of pupils claiming free school meals. They will be loaned to children who don't have their own bikes, as well as being used at lunchtime and during after-school clubs.

Geoff Maltby, Sports Development Manager at Active Together said: "Every child and young person should have the opportunity to learn to ride a bike.

"They should also have regular access to a bike for active travel, health, and fitness, but most importantly, fun!

"Unfortunately, there are hundreds of children across Leicestershire who can't afford their own bike, so we're really pleased to be able to set up this bike loan scheme in partnership with schools locally.

"We have distributed nearly 200 bikes to local schools, but there are still hundreds of children still missing out. So, if you're interested in supporting this programme further, please get in touch."

More than 660 children across Leicestershire have attended Set, Pedal - Go! sessions over the last year. A mix of after-school sessions were delivered in schools, as well as evening and weekend community lessons. Sessions were delivered by local community interest company BBuddies, with bikes and helmets provided to all pupils who took part.

Funding for the scheme and donation came to Active Together from the Bikeability Trust's Widening Participation Fund and the Oakland Foundation.

The aim was to target children and young people from low socio-economic backgrounds, ideally eligible for free school meals (FSM), who hadn't yet learnt to ride a bike due to access or affordability.

Schools that received donated bikes:

• Blaby Stokes Primary School
• Booth Wood Primary School
• Thorpe Acre School
• Ashmount School
• Kibworth CE Primary School
• St Mary's C.E. Primary School
• Barwell C of E Academy
• Newlands Community Primary School
• Thornton Comm Primary School
• Richmond Primary School
• Stanton Under Bardon Primary School
• The Grove County Primary
• Broom Leys Primary School
• Moira Primary School
• All Saints CE Primary School, Coalville
• Longmoor Primary School

Pictured: Moira Primary School with staff from Active Together.