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The annual Bike It Project Review, released this week, has revealed that the number of children cycling to schools has doubled from four to eight per cent.
The report also found that Bike It has helped increase the number of school pupils cycling to school at least once a week from 14 per cent to 26 per cent over 2008.
“The Bike It project continues to lead the way as one of the UK’s most successful projects bringing about change in the travel behaviour of young people,” said Sustrans director of school travel Paul Osborne.
“Our fourth annual report shows clearly how much the 440 schools (and 89,000 children) we have worked with across England and Wales value the enthusiastic, hands-on support and popular activities delivered by our creative team of 43 dedicated Bike It Officers.
Osborne went on to ask the Government to look at the scheme’s successes and to respond by providing funding:
“A striking 49 per cent of pupils say they would prefer to cycle to school. Their schools not only report less traffic but also say they see many more pupils being far more physically active. With the evidence so plain, I must call on Transport, Education and Health Ministers across the nations of the UK to look carefully at what we have achieved and to give Sustrans the financial resources and support it needs to ensure every school child can take part in Bike It.”
Bike It receives funding from Cycling England, the Department for Transport, Bike Hub the cycle industry levy, the Big Lottery Fund’s Well-being Programme, the Welsh Assembly Government, Transport for London, various partner local authorities and several primary care trusts.
It was founded four years ago with funding from the Bike Hub levy.
