Big increase in children cycling to school (From Wimbledon Guardian)

Big increase in children cycling to school in Merton

11:40am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News By Omar Oakes

One in seven children are now cycling to school thanks to a charity drive to get kids on two wheels.

Sustrans, a group which promotes alternatives to car travel, said the number of Merton pupils regularly cycling to schools increased from 8.8 per cent to 14.4 per cent – an increase of 60 per cent – in 2012.

The charity’s officer in charge of the Bike It programme in Merton, Ali Jafarey, said: "I was so pleased to see the increase in cycling in my Merton Bike It schools.

“All the children and staff have helped support the project, which has helped get everyone active and healthy.”

The increase has been attributed to events and activities that encourage travelling by bike among pupils, parents and staff members.

Merton Council’s senior road safety officer, Charmaine Jacques, added: “The Bike It project is popular in junior schools, supporting the cycle training provided by Road Safety Officers.

“We need to build on this successful foundation by providing a systematic programme with high schools.”