I was inspired to visit this Manchester school after hearing about their World Bike Day event
Active Travel Commissioner, Dame Sarah Storey, cycled into the biker breakfast at Wright Robinson College in Gorton. This is a pupil-led initiative to mark World Bike Day.
The college has seen a steady increase in pupils cycling and walking to school in recent months, with double the number of pupils cycling to school compared to the UK average.
Every day around 460,000 pupils travel to over 1,200 schools and further education establishments across the city-region
Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM), said: “To mark World Bike Day, a free biker breakfast was put on for students cycling to school – an initiative pitched by pupils as part of Transport for Greater Manchester’s Youth Travel Ambassadors scheme - with the school receiving a financial award from TfGM to enable the event and a Dr Bike maintenance workshop to happen.”
At the breakfast, Dame Sarah heard about many of their experiences cycling to school and had a tour of the often full bicycle storage area.
Active Travel Commissioner Dame Sarah Storey said: “I was inspired to visit Wright Robinson College to celebrate World Bicycle Day after hearing their pitch at the Youth Travel Ambassador conference earlier this year. Their passion for increasing the number of active journeys to school was very inspiring and we have many children here who could have a future in transport if they wish.”
Adding: “I very much enjoyed their event this morning and was delighted to hear the difference that cycle storage is making as well as the connectivity to the Fallowfield Loop. As with every visit I make, I was keen to hear what else will help improve journeys to school and so my team and I will be taking those things away and working to find solutions."
Martin Haworth, Executive Headteacher at Wright Robinson College, said: “We want to increase the number of students who cycle, and the support from the Youth Travel Ambassador program is helping us achieve this goal. We have developed numerous initiatives that contribute to our progress, and we are extremely proud of what we have accomplished to date.”
He said: “We are continuously working to improve active travel to Wright Robinson. It is important to encourage physical activity when possible and to play our part in supporting the community by reducing the traffic in the local area where possible.”
Adding: “Cycling has a significant positive impact on our students, as it promotes independence, encourages physical exercise, and enhances their overall well-being.”