Pedal power nets national cycling award for school

A borough primary school has been named the best in the country for its efforts in encouraging children to cycle.

Ashwood Park was today named winner in the “Most Proactive Primary School” category of the national annual Bikeability Awards.

The awards are run by the Bikeability Trust, which promotes and oversees the Bikeability training scheme. Under it, Dudley Council instructors run practical training programmes that aim to develop children and young people’s skills and confidence to cycle on roads, and ultimately encourage more people to cycle more safely and more often.

The Wordsley school received the award courtesy of a “virtual” award presentation today (Tue) due to Covid-19 lockdown restrictions.

Bikeability bosses praised leaders at the school for the “exceptional” way they worked with Dudley Council to embrace and deliver the training programmes for all age groups at the school, including nursery children.

Councillor Ruth Buttery, cabinet member for children’s services, said:

I am absolutely delighted for the school to get this prestigious and very well deserved award. As a council we have worked hard to support them, as we do all schools. We worked with Ashwood to arrange the loan of equipment including helmets and balance bikes so as many children as possible could take part.

Councillor Karen Shakespeare, cabinet member for environmental, highways and street services, said:

The school is striving to encourage more children to walk and cycle to school safely, which can only be a good thing. It’s great their efforts have been recognised and I am sure the scheme will continue to go from strength to strength."

Paul Robison, chief executive of the Bikeability Trust, said:

Every year I am profoundly touched by the amazing tales of commitment, determination and professionalism to teach and learn, alongside all the work that the providers and local authorities across the country put in to ensure training is delivered on-time and to the highest standards. The annual awards provide a great opportunity to ensure these achievements are recognised and rewarded and we hope to be able to hold a series of face-to-face presentations with the worthy recipients later this year."

For more information about Bikeability visit www.bikeability.org.uk