Article Source: Stirling PR
Last Updated: 27 September 2019 15:50
UK’S FIRST SCHOOL BIKE SHARE SCHEME LAUNCHED IN STIRLING
The UK’s first school bike share scheme will be officially launched in Stirling on Friday 27 September – marking the final day of SUSTRANS Bike to School Week.
The innovative project by charity Forth Environment Link (FEL), in conjunction with bike share operator nextbike, has seen bike rental stations installed at 3 of the city’s high schools, Bannockburn, Stirling, and Wallace, with a 4th station to follow at St Modan’s High School.
By offering teenagers easy access to free public bike share FEL hopes to instil active travel habits that will last a lifetime.
Shirley Paterson, FEL’s Active Travel Development Manager, said: “There is a distinct drop off in cycling numbers between primary and secondary school. So, we’re targeting pupils aged 14 and over to get them back on their bikes before they head off to the world of work or further study. By incorporating cycling into their daily lives now, they’re much more likely to become active adults. Road safety is of course paramount, so we’re giving every pupil who signs up to the scheme half a day’s cycle training and a voucher for a bike helmet.”
The charity’s Active Travel Hub has had a fantastic response to the scheme, with 23 pupils already signed up ahead of the official launch.
The first cohort includes 18 pupils from Bannockburn High School who will use the scheme to commute between their school and local primary schools to assist with the delivery of PE lessons.
Convener of Stirling Council’s Environment and Housing Committee, Cllr Jim Thomson said: “The introduction of the Bike Share Project across our schools is the latest in an exciting series of initiatives in supporting active travel, creating a sustainable Stirling and protecting the environment.
“There are a wide range of health, educational and environmental benefits of cycling to school or for leisure and it’s fantastic that there has already been a great response to this innovative scheme by our young people.”
Vice Convener of the Committee, Cllr Danny Gibson added: “By leading the way in the UK with this initiative, it shows we are continuing to put our foot to the pedal with our ambition to get more people cycling and walking in our beautiful city.
“This bike sharing project will encourage and enable pupils and staff across Stirling to participate in a safe, enjoyable and affordable form of travel, and I am sure it will prove a great success.”
The school bike share stations are an extension to the nextbike scheme which already operates in Stirling. Each school will have 10 bikes, as well as access to the 160 bikes stationed across the city.
Normally, nextbike memberships are only open to those aged 18 and over.
Krysia Solheim, nextbike UK managing director, said: “We’re thrilled to be launching the UK’s first-ever bike share for school pupils in Stirling. We often have requests from existing customers and young people about lowering our customer age limit to include older teens, so we’re excited that this has now become a reality.
“We know that if sustainable transport options such as cycling are adopted from an early age, it can help to form habits that last a lifetime and we’re hoping that’s what will happen in Stirling. The scheme is free for pupils to join for the first 12 months and rides won’t cost them a penny if they keep their rental time under an hour.”
The initiative was made possible thanks to a £103,560 grant from Transport Scotland.
Cabinet Secretary for Transport, Infrastructure and Connectivity Michael Matheson said: “As we continue to deliver high quality walking and cycling infrastructure across Scotland, it is also crucial that we create more opportunities to access bikes in order to make cycling an easier choice for everyday journeys, making our towns and cities safer and friendlier.
“I’m pleased that the Scottish Government is funding this bike share scheme in Stirling through our £80 million active travel budget. This scheme directly supports our ambition to build an Active Nation, where more people have opportunities to walk and cycle than ever before, and I look forward to seeing Stirling grow into an even more cycle friendly city.”
The scheme has also been welcomed by MSP Bruce Crawford, who will attend Friday’s launch: “I was delighted to learn that Forth Environment Link had secured funding through Transport Scotland to develop a bike share scheme for high schools, giving pupils in senior years at the schools free access to the scheme. It is fitting that this is being launched during Bike to School week, encouraging young people to get on their bikes in order to get to school.
“This is important on so many levels, from physical fitness and mental health, to the impact of cars on the environment and the urgency of tackling a climate emergency. I’d like to encourage everyone to look to this scheme and consider getting on their bikes, leaving the car at home where possible.”
Each school’s bikes have their own identity, thanks to the artistic talents of pupils. The four winning bike designs will be unveiled at Friday’s launch at Bannockburn High School at 11.30am.
Historic Environment Scotland (HES) has announced that over twenty sites across the country are set to reopen their doors to visitors this weekend.
READ MOREJoin Diabetes Scotland for a virtual event about an exciting new programme supporting children and young people 11 - 25 living with type 1 diabetes - Together Type 1.
READ MORENoughties stars The Cheeky Girls, Gareth Gates and S Club 7's Bradley McIntosh have taken a sip back in time to mark the release of IRN-BRU's new 2000s-inspired flavours!
READ MOREMacdonald Hotels, one of the UK’s most popular independent hotel groups, invites you to join them for an Easter break to remember.
READ MOREA mass gathering of heavy horses assembled at the home of Scotland’s iconic Kelpies structures today (Tuesday, March 26) in celebration of the forthcoming 10th anniversary.
READ MOREDobbies is welcoming families along to 68 of its stores this Easter to enjoy an array of free activities, including its Little Seedlings Club workshop and Easter Holiday sessions.
READ MOREThe search is on to find the best of the best in Scottish tourism as the Scottish Thistles Awards returns.
READ MOREThis year's FREE Springfest is playing host to two great Scottish chefs – Niall Murray and Rohan Wadke, who will inspire visitors with their FREE cooking demonstrations.
READ MOREA host of brand-new family favourites are landing at Vue this Easter, meaning there are plenty of opportunities to spend quality family time at the big screen during the holidays.
READ MOREA range of Stirling’s outstanding independent business owners were rewarded with trophies last night at the city’s annual Business Awards.
READ MORESpring is in the air and with it comes the return of one of Scotland's largest outdoor food and drink festivals to Paisley!
READ MOREFull cast and creatives announced for the tour of Maggie & Me, the first stage adaptation of Damian Barr's award-winning memoir touring UK in May and June!
READ MOREDobbies today launches Dobbies Community Gardens, to offer support for community and charity groups across the UK to help transform, restore or start their indoor or outdoor green spaces.
READ MOREA sinister story involving 'stovies' and a grisly tale about the strange sheep of Greshornish have been chosen as the winning and runner-up stories in The Glencairn Glass crime short story competition
READ MOREThe National Trust for Scotland is going hopping mad for Easter and hosting a bumper 35 Easter egg trails at the special places in its care this spring.
READ MOREStirling’s business community is getting ready to celebrate at the city’s annual awards for independent traders.
READ MOREExcavation work on a Pictish stone of potential ‘international significance’, discovered buried in a cemetery near Doune, will begin within the next fortnight.
READ MOREGreat Run 2024 series highlights inspirational stories from runners around the UK.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is bringing back its much-loved Easter event, inviting families to hop along to their nearest store and enjoy an Easter Bunny Breakfast egg-stravaganza.
READ MOREFriday 8th March marks International Women's Day and to celebrate Vue is set to screen four inspiring films which follow the achievements of incredible female leads.
READ MORENew research released by VisitScotland reveals the growing popularity of Scottish traditional music, finding that over a third of Scots (34%) are listening to it more often in the past year.
READ MOREThe public was treated to a surprise choir performance against the backdrop of the National Wallace Monument in Stirling to mark Marie Curie's Day of Reflection this weekend.
READ MOREA stellar line-up of authors are set to take Paisley by storm at this year's Paisley Book Festival in April!
READ MOREThe AJ Bell Great Scottish Run is back on Saturday 5th and Sunday 6th October, and the Earlybird offer to save up to £8 off your entry ends this Friday 1st March at 10am.
READ MOREA Scottish author's poignant tale of generosity and kindness has raised £2,262 to help the homeless.
READ MOREDobbies is offering customers the chance to treat the mother figures in their lives to an indulgent Mother's Day Afternoon Tea experience and a special flower gift on March 9th & 10th.
READ MORESTEP, in partnership with Forth Valley Food and Drink, is thrilled to announce a series of engaging business events throughout March.
READ MOREA project involving the University of Stirling, Stirling Council and a group of volunteers has uncovered a historic folly on the university grounds.
READ MOREAn Impassioned photo-led exhibition that depicts the challenge, pride and responsibility felt by those working in Scotland’s fishing industry is to debut within the Scottish Parliament.
READ MOREThe Scottish Influencer Awards, the major awards ceremony celebrating Scotland's stars of social, has announced the full shortlist of nominees in the running to be named the Influencer of the Year.
READ MORE