North Yorkshire’s first School Street ‘Bike Bus’ launched

A ‘Bike Bus’ comprising pupils, parents and carers are cycling to school in Harrogate, North Yorkshire. The organised group is travelling together from The Stray to Oatlands Infants School then Oatlands Junior School.

Alongside the ‘Bike Bus’ initiative, Marks and Spencer and Hornbeam Park railway station have agreed to be a ‘park and stride’ location, allowing families who live further away can park their cars and walk a short distance to school. 

The School Street scheme has been made permanent after an 18-month trial.

Executive member for highways and transport, Cllr Keane Duncan, said: “The School Streets initiative has had such a positive impact. The first in North Yorkshire, it represents a huge milestone for increasing road safety and promoting sustainable travel from a young age.

“It has allowed more children to enjoy safer journeys to school every day and it has made the increasingly-popular ‘Bike Bus’ scheme possible.

“It was fantastic to join parents, children and staff on their way to school. The atmosphere was incredible and everyone had a great time.”

Members of the Oatlands Road Safety and Active Travel Campaign, Hazel Peacock and Ben Mortimer, launched the ‘Bike Bus’ in collaboration with Oatlands Infants School, Oatlands Junior School and Sustrans.

Peacock said: “The Oatlands ‘Bike Bus’ has been a great success in creating a fun and active way of travelling to school and in bringing the community together. 

“It has been held once a month since November, with up to 60 people taking to their bikes on each ride. We have definitely seen more parents and carers cycling with their children as part of the School Streets scheme.

“It has created a safe environment around the school, enabling pupils and their parents and carers to use healthy, active and fun ways to get to and from school every day.” 

A second School Streets pilot is under way at Seamer and Irton Community Primary School, near Scarborough. A decision on its future is due to be made later this month.