Streets closed in Coventry to promote cycling to school

[dutchman]

Streets in Coventry were transformed into traffic-free spaces for one day to encourage pupils to cycle to school



Clarence Street, Albert Street and Leigh Street in Hillfields were closed off during picking up and dropping off times on Tuesday.

It was aimed at getting pupils of St Mary and St Benedict Primary School on their bikes.

The closure was organised by walking and cycling charity Sustrans in partnership with Coventry City Council following discussions with residents living around the school.

It was arranged to coincide with Bike to School Week which has also been organised by Sustrans and supported by the Bikeability Trust.

The charity says it comes as recent evidence suggests that just 2 per cent of primary school children in England cycle into school compared to 49 per cent in the Netherlands.

One in four cars on the road during the morning rush is on the school run, despite the average primary school journey being just 1.6 miles.

A majority of teachers now support a ban at the school gates during the school run, Sutrans adds.

Pauline Macdonald, Head Teacher at St Mary and St Benedict Catholic Primary School, said; “Today’s street closure event was really successful. It was great to see the whole school community enjoying a safer road and better air quality. We’ve gone from having two pupils cycling to school at the start of the academic year, to ten, and then 43 yesterday thanks to the street closure and Bike to School week.”

For more on Bike to School Week, visit: https://www.sustrans.org.uk/campaigns/b ... week-2019/