Peter Gladwin Primary School in Portslade celebrates cycling

Suzanne Romney, from Peter Gladwin Primary School in Portslade, says celebrating all things cycling has helped her pupils with confidence and behavioural difficulties.

For more than ten years, children at the school in Drove Road have been benefitting from a range of cycling-focused activities, which now range from science trips on the downs to “bling your bike days”.

Ms Romney, who cycles to work, along with a quarter of her staff, said: “Our after school bike club is many children’s favourite part of the week.

“It’s great fun, and they’re also acquiring physical dexterity and life skills such as turn taking and safety awareness.

Children at Peter Gladwin during summer bike club

“Those who don’t have their own bike can borrow one of ours, which have been kindly donated.”

The school works with Lucy Dance and Ben Sherratt, from cycling and walking charity Sustrans.

Ms Romney said: “Ben’s bike repair lessons are popular with both girls and boys.

“They help with confidence and have had a transformative effect on children with behavioural difficulties.”

In the summer, Suzanne and Lucy cycle with children to science trips on the downs.

‘The whole day becomes an activity, the trip is as important as the destination,” Ms Romney said.

“Cycling is great for physical and mental health, and it’s particularly good in helping children to socialise.

“Research shows that physical activity has a huge positive impact on brain development.

Learning to ride with Lucy Dance, from Bike-It

“The school is on a steep hill, so the school run can be a great way of maintaining physical fitness for children and parents alike – plus you get to roll home if you live downhill.

“The pop-up cycle lanes have been a boon, meaning we can take children on a route that previously would have been too dangerous. We’re looking forward to the lanes being extended, as it will be easier and safer for children to get to school.”

Special events are hosted throughout the year, including Learn to Ride Day, Get off Your Stabilisers and obstacle courses.

Ms Romney said: ‘Bling Your Bike or Scooter Day’ is incredibly popular.

“Children really go to town on the decorations, then we have a parade. Most years our school finishes in the top two or three of the Big Pedal Challenge, for the most children and staff cycling or scooting to school in the city.

Biodiversity ride with Lucy Dance, from Bike-It

“Because we have a small catchment area, it’s relatively easy for children to walk, cycle or scoot to school.

“Our encouragement of cycling has helped reduce car use, meaning less pollution at the school gate and a reduction in traffic, which residents are really happy about. Active travel links in to the curriculum nicely, as it’s a great example of taking care of the environment.

“If other schools are thinking of setting up bike clubs, I’d say do it. Children, parents and neighbours will love you for it.”

Sustrans is a charity which aims to make it easier for people to walk and cycle.

It aims to connect people and places, create liveable neighbourhoods, transform the school run and deliver a “happier, healthier commute”.

Sustrans’ Big Pedal competition is running again this year, from April 19 - 30. You can ask your school to sign up at bigpedal.org.uk.

To find out more about Sustrans, visit sustrans.org.uk.

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