A SCHOOL has become the first in Bradford to be awarded for its "outstanding commitment" to cycling.

Hill Top CE Primary was given the Sustrans Bronze School Mark Award at a special assembly, making it the first of the 25 Bradford schools working with the sustainable transport charity to get the honour.

Sustrans Schools Officer Emily Groves, presented the award to congratulate children, parents and teachers for their efforts in increasing pupils’ cycling levels by transforming the school journey.

In order to achieve the award, the school have had to create an inclusive travel policy which encourages all forms of active and sustainable transport.

Since it took up the challenge, the school has installed both bike and scooter storage, and all the children have been given the opportunity to take part in activities with the Sustrans schools officer.

Activities ranged from classroom lessons, sessions to wean young children of stabilisers, and scooter and bike training, both in the playground and on nearby roads.

Debbie Johnston, the School Champion, has also organised and promoted a number of joint activities for children and their parents, including sessions on how to ride on the road with children and a very successful Tour de France day held in a park.

Des Martin, the school's head teacher, said: “As a school, we have always promoted choosing healthier lifestyles among our children.

"Several years ago we invested in the building of a cycle track around our school, which meant more children were coming to school on their bikes and scooters and were accessing our cycle track during breaks, lunch times and PE slots.

"The work we have done with Sustrans has really enhanced our children’s passion for cycling further.”

Sustrans works with schools in the district in partnership with Bradford Public Health services and Bradford Council, to help children overcome the barriers preventing them cycling, scooting or walking to school.

Mrs Groves said; “It is fantastic to see Hill Top CE doing so much to help kids cycle confidently and safely.

“Active travel on the school run is good for students’ health, confidence and independence and it makes them better learners in the classroom too. It also helps with congestion and traffic issues around our schools”.

As part of the Council's Sustainable Travel to School Strategy off-road cycle links are being provided, where possible, to allow pupils

and students to cycle to and from schools away from roads.

Off-road links have so far been provided to Crossflatts Primary, Riddlesden St Mary’s Primary, Cullingworth Primary, Newby Primary, Bingley Grammar and Thornton Primary.

Sustrans also runs The Big Pedal which is the UK’s biggest school cycling and scooting event. Last year pupils at more than 1,300 schools made more than 1.1 million journeys by bike or scooter over a period of a fortnight.

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