Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson joins cycle ride led to highlight active travel work in local schools

Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Dr Nik Johnson joins cycle ride led to highlight active travel work in local schools

As part of an ongoing drive to increase the numbers of people walking and cycling across the region, Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, has today joined pupils from Samuel Pepys School, a special educational needs school in St Neots, on a bike ride.

The ride was organised by Sustrans, a UK-wide charity with a mission to make it easier for everyone to walk, wheel and cycle.

The cycle ride saw Mayor Dr Nik Johnson riding alongside seven pupils from Samuel Pepys School, as well as Mike Leasure, Assistant Head teacher, Yo Higton, Active Travel Lead at the Combined Authority, Sustrans Bike It Officer, Steve Clarke, Sustrans Partnerships Manager, Matt Barber, and volunteer Jess Lee Stocks.  The pupils journeyed 8km by bike to Riverside Park, along quiet and traffic-free routes.

The ride highlighted the work that the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Combined Authority are leading on to support and encourage more families to travel actively to and from school, including the Bike It project.

Bike It Cambridgeshire, funded by the Combined Authority, managed by Cambridgeshire County Council and delivered by Sustrans, is giving children the opportunity to gain vital life skills such as riding a bike and incorporating exercise into their daily lives.

Dr Nik Johnson, Mayor of Cambridgeshire and Peterborough, said:

“I am proud to support the outstanding work of Sustrans and the Bike It project in our region, as they champion active travel and inspire more people to embrace cycling. Beyond its significant benefits for physical and mental well-being, cycling is key to building cleaner, greener, and more connected communities. By equipping the next generation with the confidence and skills to navigate our roads safely, we are laying the groundwork for a healthier, more sustainable future that benefits everyone.”

Since April 2023, the Sustrans Bike It Cambridgeshire project has worked with 25 local schools, each nominated by the Cambridgeshire Road Safety team.

With the support of school leaders, pupils and volunteers, Bike It Officer Steve Clarke delivers fun and engaging activities designed to get more young people travelling actively. Feedback shows that children are more confident and motivated to cycle after taking part in the sessions and are inspired to get active thanks to discovering the joys of cycling.

Clare Maltby, Sustrans England Director, Midlands and East, said: 

“Choosing to travel actively to and from school has benefits for children, families and the wider community. “We are delighted that the Combined Authority, Cambridgeshire County Council, Dr Nik Johnson and school leaders are supporting children to travel actively through the Bike It project. Travelling actively to school means children are more alert and engaged in class, are healthier, and enjoy spending quality time with their friends and family.”

Mike Leasure, Assistant Head Teacher at Samuel Pepys School, said: 

“As part of the Bike It project, a number of our students engaged with sensory activities around cycling and using bikes. This group of individuals can be hard to engage, and this gave them an opportunity to get involved in cycling in a way that was accessible and meaningful to them. These interactions were a great example of inclusivity and involving all young people – no matter their special educational need.”

Schools that Sustrans is working with intensively in the 2024-25 academic year are: Riverside Academy (St Neots), St Peter’s Secondary School (Huntingdon), Huntingdon Primary School, Ridgefield Primary School (Cambridge), Millfield Primary School (Littleport), The Shade Primary School (Soham) and Alderman Jacobs Primary School (Whittlesey).

The bikes were loaned by The Light Blue Cycles of Cambridge.  Helmets were TSG and supplied by their UK distributor Ison Distribution