I Like It – Bike it

kim-on-mereside-ride The first year of Bike It in Shrewsbury seems to have raced past in a blur. So much has happened, so many bikes have been ridden to school and soon it will all be happening again. The summer holidays are my chance to catch up with myself, review what has worked well and what hasn’t and to work out how we can make Bike It even better.

boy-on-bike Here is my top 10 list of what has made Bike It so fantastic over the last 12 months:

1. Bike It to School Days – I am continually amazed at how many people make the effort and get on their bikes when we have a Bike It to school day.

oxon-bikes 2. Bike It Bike Rides – The Mereside Meander with its mass of riders on bikes of all sizes was amazing. Several of the younger riders had learnt to ride in the stabilisers off sessions just over a month earlier.

duck-in-wheel 3. Bike It at BikeFest – The Bike It tent was busy all day but was absolutely packed with people for the cutting of the Bike It Cake (a big thank you to those at Radbrook College who were responsible for its creation).

spike 4. Brilliant Bike It Crews – The Bike It crews make Bike It individual in each school. They know what events will be popular, they know which prizes will motivate and their heads are full of the most fantastic ideas which with a bit of help can be turned in to real events.

5. Bike It Champions – With out the Bike It Champion in each school Bike It wouldn’t work. They plan, promote and make possible all of the Bike It events. Without them my job would be impossible.

broken-brake 6. Bike It National Conference – Almost 80 Bike It staff in the same place at the same time – that is an awful lot Bike It brains full of Bike It ideas. It was simply inspirational.

7. Bike It on the Playground – Playground skills sessions have been really popular. Even girls-on-bikes in the wet, cold depths of winter people still wanted to get out on their bikes. The focus if increasing the control and confidence of the cyclist through lots of fun games and activities.

bucket 8. Bike It Stabilisers Off – Ditching the stabilisers is a big step. Watching someone learn to ride is amazing, all of a sudden they just get it and then there is no stopping them – that why we teach breaking first!! Download my stabilisers off helpsheet with instructions and advice for helping your child to cycle without stabilisers.

trailer-in-bike-shed 9. National Virtual Bike Race – It is not the children who got really competitive over this one but the school staff. There were phone calls and emails at all times of day (and night) to check positions, report technical difficulties and ensure that every single bike journey counted.

chewed-brake-lever 10. Bike It Bike Checks – Checking the basic safety of the bikes on Bike It to School days is really important. These sessions have at times been long, cold days but knowing if a bike is safe to ride or not is more important than numb toes and a red nose.

To read more about the first year of Bike It and see more pictures visit my Bike It scrapbook page.

I would love to hear your thoughts and comments about Bike It so follow the instructions below and get in touch or, if you're under 13, email me at cycle.shrewsbury@shropshire.gov.uk.