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Bike It Bike It Bike It Bike It : Wales Wales Wales Wales End of Year One report to Welsh Assembly Government October 2009 3 3 9 9 % % of all children told us they now cycle to cycle to cycle to cycle to school at least once school at least once school at least once school at least once a week, a week, a week, a week, compared to 13% before Bike It 1 1 1 1 % % of all children told us that they now cycle cycle cycle cycle to school every day, to school every day, to school every day, to school every day, compared to 3% before Bike It

Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

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Sustrans' Bike It project - which was seed-funded by the UK bicycle industry - had a cracking year.

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Page 1: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

Bike It Bike It Bike It Bike It :::: WalesWalesWalesWales

End of Year One report to Welsh Assembly Government October 2009

3399%% of all children told us

they now cycle to cycle to cycle to cycle to

school at least once school at least once school at least once school at least once

a week,a week,a week,a week, compared

to 13% before

Bike It

1111%% of all children told us

that they now cycle cycle cycle cycle

to school every day,to school every day,to school every day,to school every day,

compared to 3%

before Bike It

Page 2: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

2 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity. Sustrans is the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity.

Our vision is a world in which people choose to travel in ways that benefit their health and the

environment. We work on practical, innovative solutions to the transport challenges facing us all.

Sustrans is the charity behind the award winning National Cycle Network, Safe Routes to Schools,

Bike It, TravelSmart, Active Travel, Connect2 and Liveable Neighbourhoods, all projects that are

changing our world one mile at a time.

To find out more visit or call: www.sustrans.org.uk 0845 113 00 65

Head OfficeHead OfficeHead OfficeHead Office

Sustrans

2 Cathedral Square

College Green

Bristol

BS1 5DD

SustSustSustSustrans Cymrurans Cymrurans Cymrurans Cymru

107 Bute Street

Cardiff

CF10 5AD

029 2065 0602

Registered Charity No. 326550 (England and Wales) SC039263 (Scotland)

VAT Registration No. 416740656

Page 3: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 3

Table of contentsTable of contentsTable of contentsTable of contents

1 1 1 1 IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

2222 Reporting Reporting Reporting Reporting ResultsResultsResultsResults

3333 Project Development Project Development Project Development Project Development

4 4 4 4 HighlightHighlightHighlightHighlights s s s

5555 Summary Summary Summary Summary

6666 Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Acknowledgements Acknowledgements

Page 4: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

4 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

1.1.1.1. IntroductionIntroductionIntroductionIntroduction

This document provides the results of the first full academic year of delivery of the Bike It project in

Wales.

A short narrative update on project delivery since the last report accompanies the quantitative end of

year results.

1.1.1.1.1.1.1.1. Targets Targets Targets Targets

The targets for the programme are;

1. 15% of the target age group (9 -12 years) cycling on a regular basis (at least once a week), by

the end of a full academic year

2. 20% - 30% of all pupils participating in at least one school cycling event

3. 10% -15% of all pupils (all ages) cycling to school

4. Increased take-up in National Standards Cycle training (Bikeability) – approximately 50% of

pupils in years 5 & 6

1.2.1.2.1.2.1.2. Data collection methodology Data collection methodology Data collection methodology Data collection methodology

The data used in this report is derived from surveys conducted in the Bike It schools from

September 2008 (baseline) and July 2009 (follow up). Attendance at Bike It activities organised

throughout the year is also reported, so too are the number of bicycles counted in bike sheds.

For the main survey question, mode of transport to school, Bike It officers throughout the UK use a

standardised and tested set of questions known as the ‘hands up survey’. Teachers or the Bike It

Champion are asked to carry out the ‘hands up’ survey at the beginning of the September term for

the baseline and at the end of July for the follow up. The preference is for school staff rather than

the Bike It Officer to conduct the surveys as this discourages pupils from answering how they

anticipate the Bike It officer would like them to respond. Teachers, who usually know the true travel

behaviours of pupils, are able to query children if they answer incongruously.

Bike It Officers keep records of the attendance and participation in activities that they deliver at each

school. They also undertake counts of bicycles in school bike sheds and make observations on

factors that might affect the numbers e.g. weather conditions or other events happening in school

that day.

All the data is entered on to an electronic database which is analysed and reported on by Sustrans’

Research and Monitoring Unit (RMU).

Page 5: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 5

2.2.2.2. ResultsResultsResultsResults

2.1.2.1.2.1.2.1. Target One Target One Target One Target One : : : : 15% of the target age group (915% of the target age group (915% of the target age group (915% of the target age group (9----12 years) cycling on a regular basis (at 12 years) cycling on a regular basis (at 12 years) cycling on a regular basis (at 12 years) cycling on a regular basis (at

least once a week)least once a week)least once a week)least once a week)

Headline result for all Wales – children in the target age cycling at least once a week to school.

Before Bike It 12.6%

After Bike It 43.0 %43.0 %43.0 %43.0 %

It should be noted that 12 out of the 20 schools reported data by year groups, therefore the target

age dataset is not wholly representative. As the project has worked exclusively with primary schools

in its first year, we suggest that the All School dataset is used as the key headline result (see target 3

below).

2.2.2.2.2.2.2.2. Target TwoTarget TwoTarget TwoTarget Two : : : : 20% 20% 20% 20% ---- 30% of all pupils participating in at least one school cycling event 30% of all pupils participating in at least one school cycling event 30% of all pupils participating in at least one school cycling event 30% of all pupils participating in at least one school cycling event

Names of pupils attending each Bike It event are not recorded, so it is not possible to report on an

individual child basis whether 20 – 30% of pupils attended at least one event during the year.

The event or activity with the maximum attendance is reported for each school. This excludes

school assembly activities where the Bike It officer has presented and 100% of pupils are engaged.

ConwyConwyConwyConwy

School nameSchool nameSchool nameSchool name

Activity / eventActivity / eventActivity / eventActivity / event % of school roll % of school roll % of school roll % of school roll

attendingattendingattendingattending

Craig Y Don Bike maintenance session 33%

Cynfran Bike skills session 29%

Deganwy Bike maintenance session 24%

Eglwysbach Bike maintenance session 97%

Ffordd Dyffryn Bike ride along the NCN 28%

Glan Morfa Bike maintenance and skills 47%

Llanddulas Dr Bike 52%

Maelgwn Bike maintenance session 43%

Maes Owen Healthy school day cycling activities 22%

Nant Y Coed Cycle skills session 18%

Pant Y Rhedyn Bike maintenance and skills 26%

Sant Elfod Bike maintenance 6%

Page 6: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

6 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

Port Talbot Port Talbot Port Talbot Port Talbot

School nameSchool nameSchool nameSchool name

Activity / eventActivity / eventActivity / eventActivity / event % of school roll % of school roll % of school roll % of school roll

attendingattendingattendingattending

Blaenbaglan Bike skills session 32%

Bryn Bike breakfast 54%

Bryncoch Classroom session on cycling and

health

48%

Central Junior Launch of Virtual Bike Ride 59%

Glanymor Classroom session on cycling and

health

41%

Pontrhydyfen Bike ride 45%

Rhydyfro Love your bike (maintenance

session)

29%

Sandfields Puncture repair workshop 16%

St Joseph’s Bike ride 23%

St Therese’s Bike skills session 23%

Traethmelyn Love your bike (maintenance

session)

41%

YGGD Trebannws Launch of Virtual Bike Ride 52%

Page 7: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 7

2.3.2.3.2.3.2.3. Target Three : 10% Target Three : 10% Target Three : 10% Target Three : 10% ---- 15% of pupils (all ages) c 15% of pupils (all ages) c 15% of pupils (all ages) c 15% of pupils (all ages) cycling to schoolycling to schoolycling to schoolycling to school

The data for reporting against this target comes from the “before” and “after” hands up surveys.

Results are reported separately for all Wales, the Conwy project and the Neath Port Talbot project.

The total number of schools returning data was twenty; all twelve schools in Neath Port Talbot and

eight schools from Conwy.

Headline resultHeadline resultHeadline resultHeadline result –––– whole school data whole school data whole school data whole school data, all Wales, all Wales, all Wales, all Wales

BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore Bike It Bike It Bike It Bike It AfterAfterAfterAfter Bike It Bike It Bike It Bike It

Pupils cycling regularlyPupils cycling regularlyPupils cycling regularlyPupils cycling regularly 13% 39%39%39%39%

Pupils who never cyclePupils who never cyclePupils who never cyclePupils who never cycle 77% 41%41%41%41%

BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore AfterAfterAfterAfter ALL WALESALL WALESALL WALESALL WALES

%%%% %%%%

Never 77 41

EverydayEverydayEverydayEveryday 3333 11111111

Once or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a week 10101010 27272727

Once or twice each term 6 15

Once or twice a year 4 5

Total 100 100

Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least

once a week)once a week)once a week)once a week) 13131313%%%% 39393939%%%%

Do you cycle to school?

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

Never Everyday Once or twice a

week

Once or twice

each term

Once or twice a

year

Percentage (%)

PRE

POST

BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore AfterAfterAfterAfter Neath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port Talbot

%%%% %%%%

Never 80 31

EverydayEverydayEverydayEveryday 2222 15151515

Once or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a week 8888 31313131

Once or twice each term 5 17

Once or twice a year 5 6

Total 100 100

Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least

once a week)once a week)once a week)once a week) 10101010%%%% 46464646%%%%

Do you cycle to school?

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

90.0

Never Everyday Once or twice a

week

Once or twice

each term

Once or twice a

year

Percentage (%)

PRE

POST

Page 8: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

8 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

BeforeBeforeBeforeBefore AfterAfterAfterAfter ConwyConwyConwyConwy

%%%% %%%%

Never 74 60

EverydayEverydayEverydayEveryday 5555 6666

Once or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a weekOnce or twice a week 11111111 20202020

Once or twice each term 6 11

Once or twice a year 4 4

Total 100 100

Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least Cycle regularly (at least

once a week)once a week)once a week)once a week) 16161616%%%% 26262626%%%%

Do you cycle to school?

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

70.0

80.0

Never Everyday Once or twice a

week

Once or twice

each term

Once or twice a

year

Percentage (%)

PRE

POST

Bike shed counts give a useful snapshot of cycling levels, but the data is not statistically robust as

the counts are influenced by a number of factors, for example whether or not the Bike It officer

delivered an activity on the day of the count.

For illustrative purposes, three examples from each project are given below, giving the number of

bicycles counted at the first visit and the highest number of bikes counted during the year.

Neath Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot Neath Port Talbot

schoolsschoolsschoolsschools

1111stststst count at initial count at initial count at initial count at initial

assemblyassemblyassemblyassembly

Highest countHighest countHighest countHighest count

Traethmelyn 2 bikes 140 bikes (50% of

school roll)

Pontrhydyfen 0 bikes 38 bikes (63% of

school roll)

Central Junior 0 bikes 90 bikes (44% of

school roll)

Conwy schoolsConwy schoolsConwy schoolsConwy schools 1111stststst count at initial count at initial count at initial count at initial

assemblyassemblyassemblyassembly

Highest countHighest countHighest countHighest count

Maes Owen 0 bikes 31 bikes (20% of

school roll)

Maelgwn 3 bikes 44 bikes (43% of

school roll)

Craig Y Don 7 bikes 74 bikes (34% of

school roll)

Page 9: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 9

2.4.2.4.2.4.2.4. Target Four : Increased takeTarget Four : Increased takeTarget Four : Increased takeTarget Four : Increased take----up in National Standards Cycle training (Bikeability) up in National Standards Cycle training (Bikeability) up in National Standards Cycle training (Bikeability) up in National Standards Cycle training (Bikeability) ––––

approximately 50% of pupils in years 5 & 6 approximately 50% of pupils in years 5 & 6 approximately 50% of pupils in years 5 & 6 approximately 50% of pupils in years 5 & 6

Cycle training is delivered by the local authority road safety offices. We recommend that WAG

collects data on the delivery of the training from each local authority directly. Currently there are no

targets set at a local level for the delivery of Bikeability training and Sustrans would welcome the

opportunity to discuss how cycle training could be mainstreamed as a key life skill for children in

Wales.

In response to our request, the following information was supplied by Conwy and Neath Port Talbot

Councils. These are the figures for Bike It schools at which Bikeability was delivered; other non-Bike

It schools also received the training.

ConwyConwyConwyConwy

Number of pupils Number of pupils Number of pupils Number of pupils

aaaattending coursettending coursettending coursettending course

Numbers Numbers Numbers Numbers

ppppassassassassing ling ling ling level 2evel 2evel 2evel 2

% of year% of year% of year% of years 5&6 s 5&6 s 5&6 s 5&6

passed level 2passed level 2passed level 2passed level 2

Ysgol Llanddulas 12 10 38%

Ysgol Maes Owen 18 16 12%

Ysgol Craig y Don 18 12 12%

Ysgol Deganwy 31 25 32%

Ysgol Pant y Rhedyn 23 16 23%

Ysgol Glanwydden (originally a

Bike It school, but dropped out) 30 20 31%

TotalTotalTotalTotal 132132132132 99999999 21212121%%%%

Neath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port Talbot

Number of pupils offered Number of pupils offered Number of pupils offered Number of pupils offered

ttttrainingrainingrainingraining

Number Number Number Number of pupils that of pupils that of pupils that of pupils that

took parttook parttook parttook part

Blaenbaglan 43 34

Bryn 2 2

Bryncoch C.I.W. 22 20

Central Jnr 56 40

Glanymor 23 18

Pontrhydyfen 5 5

Rhydyfro 15 15

Sandfields 37 18

St Joseph’s 29 24

St Therese’s 26 24

Traethmelyn 39 18

YGGD

Trebannws

16 14

Page 10: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

10 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

2.5.2.5.2.5.2.5. Attitudes to cyclingAttitudes to cyclingAttitudes to cyclingAttitudes to cycling

The hands up survey also measures attitudes towards cycling before and after the Bike It year of

activities. Even before the Bike It intervention, cycling is the most popular preferred method of

travelling to school (45%), but after Bike It this has increased further to 57% of all pupils.

How would you prefer to travel to school?*

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Car Walk Bus Cycle Train/other

Percentage (%)

PRE

POST

The snap shot question, “how did you travel to school today” gives a useful comparison to the

preference question. Despite a significant 7 percentage point drop, travel to school by car remains

the highest mode of transport to school with 41% of pupils saying that they travelled by car that day

(down from 48% before Bike It). Cycling quadrupled, from 4% to 17% .

How did you travel to school today?*

0.0

10.0

20.0

30.0

40.0

50.0

60.0

Car Walk Bus Cycle Train/other

Percentage (%)

PRE

POST

Page 11: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 11

2.6.2.6.2.6.2.6. Range of engagement activities deliveredRange of engagement activities deliveredRange of engagement activities deliveredRange of engagement activities delivered

Each Bike It officer plans a series of activities with the school champion each term. The type of

activities are designed to be appropriate to the stage of engagement that the school has achieved,

so for example, Bike Rides tend to take place in the Summer Term once pupil cycling confidence

has increased through the skills sessions delivered in previous terms.

NPT range of engagement activities

20

2557

472

50

955

441

259

173

603

799

460

616

24

34

35

0 500 1000 1500 2000 2500 3000

After School Club

Assembly

Bike Breakfast

Bike Crew/BUG Event

Bike Maintenance

Bike Ride

Bike Skills Session

Bike Sports Day/Event

Bike to School Event

Classroom Session

Playground Skills Session

Virtual Bike Race Event

Activity

Numbers recorded

Parents

Pupils

The bar chart above plots the total number of pupils attending all Bike It engagement activities

during the year, across all twelve participating schools in Neath Port Talbot. Numbers of parents

attending were recorded for three of the activity groupings; school assemblies, bike breakfasts and

bike rides.

In Conwy the range of activities has been slightly less varied that in Neath Port Talbot. The pie chart

shows the activities delivered, by percentage relative to each other. Bike maintenance sessions and

playground skills sessions have been the most popular activities requested by school champions.

Page 12: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

12 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

Conwy range of activitiesConwy range of activitiesConwy range of activitiesConwy range of activities

Assembly

Bike Maintenance Session

Bike Ride

Bike Skills Session

Headteacher / Travel Plan meeting

Bike / Walk to School Event

3.3.3.3. PPPProjectrojectrojectroject Development Development Development Development

This section deals with organisational issues arising since the last report submitted in March 2009.

3.1.3.1.3.1.3.1. Bike It Bike It Bike It Bike It OfficersOfficersOfficersOfficers

Regrettably, Michael Murphy left the Bike It project in May 2009. We were fortunate to be able to re-

recruit for the Conwy project from a strong list of candidates. Our preferred candidate at interview

had just returned from a work placement abroad so was able to start without working out a notice

period.

Gwen ThomasGwen ThomasGwen ThomasGwen Thomas, started with Sustrans in May 2009 as Bike It Officer for Conwy.

Gwen’s first language is Welsh and she has previously worked with RSPB Cymru

as an education officer. Gwen has use of a hot desk Conwy Council’s Road

Safety department in Llanfairfechan.

3.2.3.2.3.2.3.2. Bike It SuperBike It SuperBike It SuperBike It Supervisionvisionvisionvision

During the reporting period there has been a change of Bike It supervisor for the South East of

England and South Wales, including the Neath Port Talbot project. This has not had an impact on

the delivery of the project as Emma Mather, the new supervisor, comes from being a Bike It officer

herself so is fully conversant with the project model.

Page 13: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 13

3.3.3.3.3.3.3.3. Bike It Action DaysBike It Action DaysBike It Action DaysBike It Action Days

In May 2009 both projects held ‘Action Days’. These events are part of the established Bike It

model. They are designed to bring together participating schools to share good practice and learn

from each other. Sustrans also invites representatives from new schools which could potentially join

in the following year and members of the local authority road safety teams.

3333.3.1.3.1.3.1.3.1 Conwy Action DayConwy Action DayConwy Action DayConwy Action Day

We were delighted to welcome the Minister for Environment, Sustainability and Housing to

the Action Day in Llanrwst on the 7th May.

Image 1 : Jane Davidson AM with Bike It crew members at the Action DayImage 1 : Jane Davidson AM with Bike It crew members at the Action DayImage 1 : Jane Davidson AM with Bike It crew members at the Action DayImage 1 : Jane Davidson AM with Bike It crew members at the Action Day

Thirty one people attended the event, representing all 12 schools engaged on the project.

Local Authority staff also attended and welcomed the opportunity to engage with schools at

this forum.

3333.3.2.3.2.3.2.3.2 Neath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port TalbotNeath Port Talbot Action Day Action Day Action Day Action Day

The event took place at Blanco’s Hotel in Port Talbot on the 11th May. Twelve adult and six

pupil representatives from Bike It schools attended. We were also pleased to welcome

Cardiff Council’s Road Safety Manager who attended to find out more about Bike It with the

view of bringing the project to Cardiff.

Conwy Action Day evaluationConwy Action Day evaluationConwy Action Day evaluationConwy Action Day evaluation

• All feedback categories were rated excellent by more than 50 per

cent of respondents and 97 per cent rated them Excellent or Very

Good. 100 per cent of guests rated them Good or Better than

Good.

• Top rated were: Programme, Venue, Speakers, Organisation at

Event and Refreshments. Only three people marked any category

lower than Very Good, (with a Good.)

Page 14: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

14 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

In the post-event evaluation feedback 90% of the ratings were marked ‘excellent’ showing a

very high level of satisfaction. All delegates said they would be interested in attending school

travel related events organised by Sustrans in the future.

4.4.4.4. Highlights Highlights Highlights Highlights ofofofof the year the year the year the year

This section gives a narrative description with photographs, to record some of the project highlights.

4.1.4.1.4.1.4.1. Conwy highlightsConwy highlightsConwy highlightsConwy highlights

Two of the school champions in particular have really embraced the Bike It project and quickly

moved to make cycling something that the school itself promotes. The champion at Maes Owen

uses curriculum time (geography) for the pupils to plan local cycle rides. Sustrans volunteers have

helped accompany the rides.

The champion at Ysgol Eglwysbach organised ‘cycle on Tuesdays’ for the last 5 weeks of term,

results showed that over half of the school pupils were cycling in on these days.

A highlight for the Bike It crew at Ysgol Ffordd Dyffryn in Llandudno was that Mike Murphy came

back after he had left Bike It to help with a coastal cycle ride in the summer term. Mike had been

very popular with pupils so we were grateful that he volunteered his time to help out whilst Gwen

was gaining her ride leader and first aid qualifications.

The Conwy project has made good progress with establishing strong links to external agencies, for

example local Community Police Officers who have supported cycle rides, and 5 X 60 school sport

officers.

Neath Port Talbot Action Day evaluationNeath Port Talbot Action Day evaluationNeath Port Talbot Action Day evaluationNeath Port Talbot Action Day evaluation

What What What What aspects of the day did you find the MOST useful?aspects of the day did you find the MOST useful?aspects of the day did you find the MOST useful?aspects of the day did you find the MOST useful?

1. Sharing good practice, workshops

2. Possible events, links to NC

3. Talking to other schools and finding out new activities to do.

4. Sharing ideas, ways to include bike it in lots of lessons

5. Sharing ideas for Bike It events. Meeting other Bike It schools/crews.

6. All of it

7. All aspects

What aspects of the day did you find the LEAST useful?What aspects of the day did you find the LEAST useful?What aspects of the day did you find the LEAST useful?What aspects of the day did you find the LEAST useful?

1. None

2. They were all useful

Page 15: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 15

4.2.4.2.4.2.4.2. Neath Port Talbot highlightsNeath Port Talbot highlightsNeath Port Talbot highlightsNeath Port Talbot highlights

Ten out of the twelve engaged schools in the Neath Port Talbot project took part in the Virtual Bike

Race organised by Louise Powell. The event was inspired by Louise’s frequent long distance cycle

rides which she often told children about on a Monday morning after the weekend’s adventures.

This gave her the idea of organising a Virtual Bike Race which would have all participating schools

competing against each other to see which could complete the distance fastest, tracing Louise’s

route from Anglesey all the way down the West Coast to St David’s and across to Chepstow.

Pupils were encouraged to cycle to school every day for the two weeks of the challenge, and

everyone who did were awarded a number of points each day. A calculation ensured that smaller

schools were not disadvantaged. The challenge caused quite a stir, with schools getting very

competitive and phoning each other to compare daily totals! The winning school was Pontrhydyfen

where Sustrans organised for the local MP, Hywel Francis, to award the prize and congratulate the

school. In total, during the 2 week competition there were 2648 journeys to school by bicycle and

pupils saw how easy and fun it was to cycle daily, whatever the weather.

Page 16: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

16 Bike It Wales End of Year One Report

Louise’s highlight of the summer term, in her own words;

“Cycling into the grounds of Traethmelyn primary on the first day of the school bike themed sports week nearly left me speechless and completely blew me away when there were bikes locked up absolutely everywhere, with no spaces left on any of the railings and bikes wedged into the cycle storage. Over 140 pupils and 20 parents had cycled in to school to take part in the Bike It activities I’d organised for the day”

Image Image Image Image 2222 : Pupils from : Pupils from : Pupils from : Pupils from Bryncoch Church in Wales Primary School enjoying a bike ride

ImageImageImageImagessss 3333 & & & & 4444 : Love your bike session : Love your bike session : Love your bike session : Love your bike session with years 3 & 4 at Traethmelynwith years 3 & 4 at Traethmelynwith years 3 & 4 at Traethmelynwith years 3 & 4 at Traethmelyn

Page 17: Bike It end of year report 09 - Wales

October 2009 17

5.5.5.5. SummarySummarySummarySummary

The first year of Bike It in Wales has been very successful, with all of the objectives within Sustrans

control being met or exceeded.

At the end of the project;

• 43% of 9-12 year olds said they cycled regularly (target 15%)

• 39% of all pupils said they cycled regularly (target 10-15%)

• the number of pupils never cycling dropped from 77% to 41%

• children cycling every day increased from 3% to 11%

• cycling has replaced car trips, walking has remained constant.

The snapshot survey question ‘how did you travel to school today’ reveals how the changes in

transport mode towards cycling have been achieved. It is particularly worth noting that car journeys

rather than walking trips have been replaced by cycle journeys. There has been a 7 percentage

point reduction in car trips (baseline 48%, after Bike It 41%). Walking has remained constant at 40%.

In Conwy the number of pupils regularly cycling has increased from 16% to 26% thanks to Bike It.

The Neath Port Talbot project has exceeded expectations, thanks to strong support from the local

Road Safety team but also the enthusiasm of the participating schools and a very competent and

dedicated Bike It officer.

• the project in Neath Port Talbot increased the number of pupils regularly cycling by four and

a half times (baseline 10.1%, end of year 45.7%).

• in the snap shot survey question “how did you travel to school today?” cycling shot up from

3% of children in Neath Port Talbot Bike It schools at the start to 25% at the end of the

project.

6.6.6.6. AcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgementsAcknowledgements

Sustrans Cymru is very grateful for the support of the Road Safety departments in Conwy and Neath

Port Talbot Councils. We thank them for providing in-kind support in the form of office

accommodation for the Bike It Officers but also for their help in getting the projects established in

the first year.

We also gratefully acknowledge our funders; the Welsh Assembly Government and the UK

cycle industry via the Bike Hub fund. The excellent results reported here clearly

demonstrate the value of their investment in the Bike It pilot programme in Wales.

Jane LorimerJane LorimerJane LorimerJane Lorimer 11116666 OctoberOctoberOctoberOctober 200 200 200 2009999