Spooky Bike Bus!

The last week of term saw pupils and parents across the city having fun on Halloween themed school Bike Buses, supported by Bike Worcester. Children, parents and bike bus volunteers decorated their bikes and headed out as skeletons, witches, zombies and pumpkins on seriously spooky school runs.The Halloween fun was organised by Bike Worcester volunteers, who have helped set up ten Bike Bus routes at seven schools in Worcester over the last 18 months. New Bike Buses started at St. Georges C of E Primary and Honeywell Primary School, this Autumn term, helping reduce traffic and air pollution from cars. And now Stanley Road primary school are getting ready to launch their very first bike bus after half term.Bike Buses support and encourage children and their parents to cycle to school each week on an organised route. Volunteer leaders, who are often parents, coordinate the groups setting off safely and crossing at junctions, which gives families a safe space and confidence to cycle together.Community group, Bike Worcester, was set up 5 years ago and is dedicated to promoting safe and accessible cycling in Worcester and advocating for better cycling infrastructure. They aim to make cycling a regular way of getting around and promote healthier lifestyles, involving hundreds of local people based in and around Worcester. They are making genuine progress, encouraging more people, including families and children, to use their bikes, especially for short journeys within the city.Earlier this year, a £1,000 grant from Worcester City Council, helped Bike Worcester to provide support for more schools in the city to introduce Bike Buses, funding equipment, such as high- vis tabards for parents and children cycling and group leaders. Bike Worcester have worked closely with schools to develop custom routes, train parent volunteers to form a protective cordon of bikes around the group and publicise getting involved in school newsletters and social media.Bike Buses are now operating from North Worcester Primary Academy, St Georges RC Primary School, St. Barnabas C of E Primary, Redhill Primary, Nunnery Wood Primary School, St. Georges C of E Primary and Honeywell Primary School.Danny Brothwell, Chair of Bike Worcester said "It’s fantastic to see Bike Buses expanding across Worcester City. Schools, families and the wider community are seeing the benefits ofgetting involved, enjoying healthy active lifestyles and reducing air pollution. Everyone involved has a lot of fun and we do get out in all weathers. We are finding that parents who haven’tbeen on a bike for years, are regaining confidence, and children are super keen to join in to cycle with friends and practice bike handling skills and road sense. If you are interested in getting support from Bike Worcester to start a Bike Bus at your school, please get in touch."