Estimated Price

£1,000

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Summary

Provision and maintenance of 6 bikes for use by all local children so that they develop sufficient skills to participate in cycling proficiency in Primary 6/7 alongside their peers. A large number of children do not have access to a bike due to the cost involved in purchasing and maintaining them. St. Mary's Parent Council has secured the agreement of a local bike specialist who will provide 12 bikes for children to use as they learn to cycle. He will provide maintenance free of charge.

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Description

Cycling is a lifelong healthy habit that provides a cheaper and more eco-friendly alternative to using other forms of transport.  Cycling is also an excellent way to support good mental health and wellbeing alongside the numerous health benefits.  Cycling safely to school is something we strongly promote at St. Mary's Parent Council and we are determined to ensure that ALL local school children have the opportunity to participate the Cycling Proficiency (iCycle) course provided in all primary schools.  Unfortunately, an increasing number of children do not have access to a bike due to the cost of purchasing and maintaining one.  This means that they cannot participate in the iCycle course in either Primary 6 or 7 because they cannot ride a bike.  This is very upsetting for children and serves only to isolate them from their peers who can ride a bike and who can participate in the iCycle course.  iCycle teacher children the vital skills they need to ensure they can cycle safely and all children undertake an assessment that lets them know whether they are ready to ride independently or what they should work on in order to reach this level in the future.  We believe that all children should have the opportunity to participate in such an important course - a course that provides them with skills for life.  We are committed to building an inclusive cycling community for all our local children by providing and maintaining bikes for children whose family cannot afford to purchase one.  Although this project is being administered by St. Mary's Parent Council, we will ensure that children from both local primaries have equal access to appropriately-sized bikes that are maintained to the highest standard.  We have secured the support of a local bike specialist who has agreed to provide 12 bikes of various sizes for £1,000.  This is an incredible opportunity because bikes that meet the standard for participating in the iCycle programme normally retail for at least £300 each.  The bike specialist has agreed to provide ongoing maintenance of the bikes for free, which means that the bikes will be available to pupils from Primary 4 upwards and can be used by them throughout their time at Primary School.  They will also be used by pupils participating the the iCycle programme.  The cost of maintenance, helmets and locks is being met by the bike specialist and St. Mary's Parent Council.  We would be very grateful for a grant of £1000 to fund the cost of 12 bikes.  This will have a meaningful and lifelong impact on all of our local children and families who require support to access a bike.