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.
Glasgow to Loch Lomond was a sea of tartan today as the world's biggest ever Kiltwalk took place, with fundraising already exceeding £2.5m.
READ MOREA brand new artwork that celebrates Stirling’s people and its history will be officially unveiled in the city centre today for the launch of Stirling’s 900th anniversary celebrations.
READ MOREA spectacular multimedia show celebrating Vincent van Gogh's life and stunning artworks is coming to Glasgow this summer!
READ MORENational Theatre of Scotland launches a new interactive map for Scotland to demonstrate its love for the Big Yin, inviting people to share their own Billy Connolly memories.
READ MORETouring Scotland from June, the cast is announced for Hen Night Horror, an original musical comedy that promises to put the willies right up ye!
READ MOREAldi Scotland's popular 'Best Home Bar' competition has returned for another year, with a year's supply of beer up for grabs!
READ MOREPaisley Food and Drink Festival returns to the town this weekend for a two-day feastival with plenty for everyone to sample and enjoy.
READ MOREWith a staggering 14 million adults in the UK unable to swim, the team behind The Learn to Swim National Framework has launched a new campaign to encourage adults in Scotland to learn the life skill.
READ MOREStirling Highland Games and the Argyll and Sutherland Highlanders Museum Forge Historic Partnership to Commemorate Stirling's 900th Anniversary.
READ MOREStirling’s Remembering Together project is set to host a celebration of community, creativity and the changing seasons on Thursday 2nd May in the heart of Cornton.
READ MORENow in its 30th year, the show is the go-to exhibition for any self-builders or renovators looking for practical tips, expert advice, or the chance to view 1000s of products.
READ MOREStirling Council is thrilled to announce the creation of Stirling Studios, which will be among the biggest film studio campuses in Scotland.
READ MOREFamilies have been following a fascinating trail featuring life-size brick models of sea creatures around Stirling at the BRICKLIVE Ocean tour which runs until Sunday April 21st.
READ MORELatest investigations by National Trust for Scotland archaeologists at Culloden Battlefield have recovered a wide range of artefacts.
READ MOREThe Stirling Highland Games Committee is thrilled to announce that former Scotland International hooker Kevin McKenzie has been appointed as the Honorary Chieftain for the 2024 Games.
READ MORE17 year old Brodie Brown from Stirling goes head-to-head for ‘Song of the Year’ at The John Lennon Songwriter Awards despite life-long physical and mental health battles.
READ MOREThe Game & Wildlife Conservation Trust (GWCT) Scottish Game Fair (SGF) is back for 2024, celebrating its 35-year anniversary at Scone Palace.
READ MOREDobbies, the UK's leading garden centre, is inviting plant enthusiasts and foodies alike to a brand new Afternoon Tea and Planting Experience at its stores nationwide.
READ MOREThis year's Springfest, set to take place this weekend, has been postponed due to forecasted high winds.
READ MOREHistoric 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 MORE