120 Pupils get on their new bikes

A total of 127 pupils at Trinity Catholic College have taken advantage of the pilot scheme run by the Middlesbrough Healthy Town Programme. The scheme means pupils have been able to purchase new mountain bikes at a reduced rate. Along with the bike the pupils received a helmet and a cycling back-pack containing lock, lights, a puncture repair kit and a pack of cycle routes around Middlesbrough. The pupils also gain access to national standard cycle training delivered at their school.

Anthony Manders, Assistant Headteacher at Trinity Catholic College, who helped implement the scheme at the school, said: “The scheme has been a resounding success. Approximately 127 pupils have purchased bikes and we could have doubled that.

“After the pupils and parents saw the quality of the bicycles and backpacks we have been inundated with further requests.

“The scheme fits in perfectly with Trinity Catholic College’s philosophy of promoting life-long health for the pupils.”

Councillor Brenda Thompson, Middlesbrough Council’s Executive Member for Public Health and Sport, said: “Pupils at Trinity Catholic College are leading the way with the incentivised bike scheme. “The number of pupils who have taken the opportunity to buy the bikes shows what a great  scheme it is. I hope they enjoy many years of cycling and keeping healthy.”

One pupil Liam Illingworth, aged 14 from Linthorpe, said: “The bike’s great. I’m looking forward to getting out and about on it.”

And Adam Wilson, 14, from central Middelsbrough, described his bike as “brilliant”.

The pupils are also encouraging people to take part in the Sky Ride bike event which is taking place in the streets of Middlesbrough on Sunday, August 15. Sky Ride is a mass participation cycling event which is open to all ages and ability and it's free. Just over 9km of roads within Middlesbrough town centre will be closed off to traffic and opened up for cycling from 10am to 2pm. Middlesbrough Sky Ride is the only Sky Ride event in the North East this year and is organised by Sky with the support of Middlesbrough Council, NHS Middlesbrough, the Middlesbrough Healthy Town programme and British Cycling.

There is also a varied programme of entertainment in Centre Square and along the route including BMX stunt riders, exotic and unusual bikes, live bands dance group demonstrations and bike skills courses. Guided rides will take people safely to the route on the day of the event.

To take part register online at www.goskyride.com