Work and School
Schools, Colleges and University Toolkit
You can make a positive change to the students at your school, college or university – just by helping them become regular cyclists.
This Toolkit will show you how to do it – and how other people and organisations have made the commitment to more cycling.
Why cycling is a good thing
For many students, cycling is already a part of everyday life – but there are some good reasons why everyone should commit to more cycling.
In plenty of time: not driving on the school run can give parents and children plenty more time to get in as they won’t have to compete with other cars to park, or drop the children off.
More time to do other stuff: a bicycle can be twice as fast as a car in the city centre. A quick ride in to college or university means that students can even enjoy a bit more of a lie-in rather than rushing to get to the bus stop exactly on time!
On the ball: cycling boosts the brain cells so children and students will arrive at class more alert and ready to concentrate.
Less congestion: having fewer cars at the school when it’s home time means that it’s actually safer for everyone on and around the road, and there’s less pollution too.
It’s good family time: schoolchildren could get a precious extra few minutes with their parent as they ride into school on traffic-free routes. This could help increase a child’s confidence generally, which has huge benefits.
Making friends: a group cycle training session is a great way for children to spend constructive time with their friends – and it could lead to some brilliant after-school adventures and exercise.
It’s cheap: buying a second-hand bike is a very shrewd investment for a student or parent, compared to the cost of a year’s worth of train, bus and cab journeys. Let alone a car.
It’s good for general health and fitness: regular cyclists can be as fit as someone ten years younger, and immune systems will be stronger. What’s more, there’s no need for expensive gym memberships if you’re keeping fit on your bike. Cycling also helps you cross-train for other sports. If you’re a keen footballer, rugby player or even swimmer, cycling will help keep you in shape as part of your training.
Bike It
Cycle Exeter is pleased to be working with the Sustrans project “Bike It”, to encourage more cycling in schools. Bike It has been a vital part of our work in schools since the Cycle Exeter project started, helping to increase the number of children cycling in many of our schools.
Find out more about Bike It in Exeter
Ready to give cycling more support? Then make a pledge
