Sustrans led a cycle ride joined by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority Mayor Dr Nik Johnson and pupils from Samuel Pepys School, a special educational needs school in St Neots.
Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Nik Johnson (middle), joined pupils from Samuel Pepys School for a cafe stop after their cycle ride. Photo: Mark Bullimore/Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
The ride, which took place on December 4th, 2024, highlighted the work that Sustrans and Cambridgeshire County Council are carrying out to support and encourage more families to travel actively to and from school. With the help of the Bike It project, children are gaining vital life skills such as riding a bike and incorporating exercise into their daily lives.
The cycle ride saw Mayor Dr Jonson riding alongside seven pupils from Samuel Pepys School, as well as Mike Leasure, Assistant Head teacher, Yo Higton, Active Travel Lead at the Combined Authority, Sustrans Bike It Officer, Steve Clarke, Sustrans Partnerships Manager, Matt Barber, and volunteer Jess Lee Stocks. The pupils journeyed 8km by bike to Riverside Park, along quiet and traffic-free routes. Once in the park the group enjoyed a café stop. This cycle really helped give the students an experience of independence that is hugely valuable.
The led ride took the school group through a local park on a crisp winter's day. Photo: Mark Bullimore/Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Since April 2023, the Sustrans Bike It Cambridgeshire project has worked with 25 local schools, each nominated by the Cambridgeshire Road Safety team. With the support of school leaders, pupils and volunteers, Bike It Officer Steve Clarke delivers fun and engaging activities designed to get more young people travelling actively more often.
Supporting children to cycle for the first time
Feedback shows that children are more confident and motivated to cycle after taking part in the sessions and are inspired to get active thanks to discovering the joys of cycling. A parent at Ridgefield Primary School said: “Just to say thank you for the sessions for kids at Ridgefield school in Cambridge last week - ours had a 1:1 session and he's transformed from a non-rider into an enthusiastic one!”
Activities include balance bike sessions for the youngest pupils, Learn to Ride lessons on pedal bikes, led rides to give children the cycle skills and confidence to safely ride on the road, as well as cycle maintenance and puncture repair training sessions to equip older children with the skills to independently look after their bicycles.
Cycling to school has benefits for families, the environment and the wider community. Photo: Mark Bullimore/Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Among the schools Sustrans worked with during the 2023-24 period are three special educational needs schools - Samuel Pepys School (St Neots), Castle School (Cambridge) and Riverside Academy (St Neots), and the Strive and Nurture units at St Peter’s School (in Huntingdon). Activities helped the young people expand their horizons by dealing with different situations and people, including lessons tailored to individual needs, for example sensory sessions where students created art with the help of a specially adapted ‘spin art’ static bike.
Bike It Cambridgeshire is delivered by Sustrans and funded by Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
A pupil at Samuel Pepys School uses pedal power to spin paint and make a cycling artwork. Photo: Sutrans
Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said: "I am proud to support the outstanding work of Sustrans and the Bike It project in our region, as they champion active travel and inspire more people to embrace cycling.
"Beyond its significant benefits for physical and mental well-being, cycling is key to building cleaner, greener, and more connected communities. By equipping the next generation with the confidence and skills to navigate our roads safely, we are laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future that benefits everyone."
Clare Maltby, Sustrans England Director, Midlands and East, said: “Choosing to travel actively to and from school has benefits for children, families and the wider community.
“We are delighted that the Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, Dr Nik Johnson and school leaders are supporting children to travel actively through the Bike It project. Travelling actively to school means children are more alert and engaged in class, are healthier, and enjoy spending quality time with their friends and family."
Samuel Pepys School in St Neots learn on-road cycling as part of the Bike It project with Sustrans. Photo: Mark Bullimore/Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority
Mike Leasure, Assistant Head Teacher at Samuel Pepys School, said: “As part of the Bike It project, a number of our students engaged with sensory activities around cycling and using bikes.
"This group of individuals can be hard to engage, and this gave them an opportunity to get involved in cycling in a way that was accessible and meaningful to them. These interactions were a great example of inclusivity and involving all young people – no matter their special educational need.”
Bike It Cambridgeshire schools
Schools that Sustrans is working with intensively in the 2024-25 academic year are: Riverside Academy (St Neots), St Peter's Secondary School (Huntingdon), Huntingdon Primary School, Ridgefield Primary School (Cambridge), Millfield Primary School (Littleport), The Shade Primary School (Soham) and Alderman Jacobs Primary School (Whittlesey).
Find out about the Bike It project in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority.
