What are the benefits of pupils cycling to school?Encouraging pupils to obtain on their bicycles can give a magic bullet to help solve a many problems: Childhood obesity – with 1/2 of babies estimated to exercise for fewer than the recommended hour per day, standard daily exercise should help reduce obesity, hold babies fit and help them stay away from well-being problems later on in life. Path congestion – 20% of car trips during rush hour are attributed to ‘school run’. The many babies driven to college has doubled within the final 20 years, and reducing traffic around schools shall also make it safer for pupils. Pollution – the polar caps are melting and the race is on to reduce carbon emissions. Rising petrol prices also means reducing car trips shall help with household bills. Self confidence – being responsible for getting themselves to college and navigating traffic shall help boost pupils’ sense of independence and help them escape the cotton wool enclosure of being chauffeur driven everyday. Academic performance - many schools with cycling policies have reported that pupils are more alert in lessons. Studies within the US and UK have also located a direct link between standard exercise and academic performance. A cycling policy should also be well-known with pupils. In a recent survey of 11,000 pupils nearly 1/2 spoke about they’d like to cycle to college if provided the chance, whilst only 2% currently do so.
Funding is availableThe government is fully aware regarding the advantages cycling can give babies as well as the should obtain people out of their cars. The ‘Sustainable School’s Programme’ currently provides £7.5 million in funding every year for regional authorities to implement cycling policies. A further £20 million/year is available from the ‘The Department for Children, Schools and Families’ in grants to assist schools to give the facilities and infrastructure needed to encourage pupils to venture by leg power. Sustrans (a sustainable transport charity) also received £10 million in funding to implement safe walking and cycling policies. Their ‘Bike It’ scheme has enjoyed remarkable success: participating schools reported that cycling grades trebled within a year.How can my college encourage pupils to cycle?To get pupils out of cars and onto bikes, schools should give the facilities and framework for ensuring pupils cycle responsibly and that parents are happy that most their babies and bicycles shall be safe. Schools need to: Educate pupils on cycling responsibly and safely. Give cycle proficiency training. Set up a cycle permit agreement to clarify the school’s liability and the responsibilities of pupils. Parents and pupils should then most should sign the permit in exchange for access to school’s bicycle storage facilities. Facilities should should be provided for the safe storage of bicycles and tools throughout the college day, for example secure cycle shelters, which release protection from the weather, and secure lockers for storing bicycle lights, reflective clothing and tyre pumps. So when you think about the many benefits cycling can provide, its popularity with pupils and the government funding that’s available, the question isn’t ‘why you need a cycling policy’ but ‘when is your college going to beginning one?’[Stats provided by Sustrans and Bicycle It] _______________________Article provided by Action Storage, a supplier of innovative storage tools to schools, colleges, universities and many other public sector organisations. Its section includes secure bicycle compounds, which can hold up to 80 bicycles and are covered by Perspex cladding roofs, and eXtreme™ glass lockers, which are vandal and weather resistant offering the option of stacking lockers outdoors without fear of rusting. More details on Action Storage’s section shall be located on its website, where you should possibly order a free catalogue.
No comments:
Post a Comment