News : Local schools cross the finish line

Local school children have made it to the finish line after taking a virtual trip around the world on their bikes.

123 schools across England and Wales took part in the virtual race around the world. The four week race created a staggering 94,000 bike journeys across the country. The race was organised by Bike It officers from the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. Bike It is one of the UK’s leading projects that encourages children and young people to choose two wheels instead of four for the journey to school.

Each time a child cycled to school, a number of miles were added to their journey in a race to see which school could cover the 46,000 mile expedition first.

The inter-schools competition was launched in 2007 by Lancaster City Council and Sustrans Bike It Officer, Kathy Bashford who invited round the world cyclist Alastair Humphreys to talk to pupils of the district’s Bike It schools about his own adventure which spanned 5 continents and 60 countries.

This year, six local schools took part in the race. Although none of them were in the running nationally, Bolton-le-Sands Primary School claimed first place locally by completing their trip in just 15 days. Torrisholme Primary School weren’t far behind and managed to cycle around the world in just 17 days.  Both schools have won a visit from three times junior cycle trials champion Ben Slinger, who will amaze the children with an exciting display of cycling tricks in June.

If you are interested in becoming a Bike It school for the next school year, or would like support and information about cycling to school, contact Damian Bonsall, Sustrans Bike It Officer by e-mailing him at dbonsall@lancaster.gov.uk