Transition year students in Coláiste Mhuire, Tuar Mhic Éadaigh, are organising a BcoolCycle2School competition, designed to encourage students to cycle to school. A bicycle is up for grabs by one of the students who “gets on his bike”.
All students who cycle to school will receive a ticket, they will get an extra ticket if they wear a safety helmet. Each ticket will be entered into a draw for a bike. High visibility jackets will be distributed amongsthe cyclists, and road safety officer Noel Gibbons will give demonstrations on safe transport to school.
“The aim of this initiative is to give young people skills that will enable them to cycle safely, and it encourages them to always wear a safety helmet when cycling. Fewer cars on the roads mean less danger on the roads, it is our objective to avoid traffic congestion at school times,” said Mr Gibbons.
Déaglán De Phriondargás, principal of Coláiste Mhuire welcomed the scheme saying it was a great opportunity for students to try different modes of transport, and that cycling has many advantages: “Students can be outside enjoying the fresh air and the environment around them, instead of travelling in a car that is polluting the air and the environment. I am delighted that transition year students are undertaking this scheme to promote cycling as a healthy, safe, and sustainable way to travel.”