It’s ‘On yer bike’ for these Derby school children

Two Derby school children are now enjoying the power of the pedal after winning a travel competition.

Joshua Cartwright, six, and Karis Akinwunmi, ten, pupils at The Bemrose School Primary Phase in Uttoxeter Road, were given their brand-new bikes in assembly one day.

Children at the school were invited to design their own bicycle in a school competition as part of National Bike to School Week.

Joshua and Karis’s winning designs meant they were each given their own two-wheelers donated by competition sponsors Tarmac. They were also provided with new helmets and reflectors to help keep them safe whilst riding their smart new vehicles.

Bemrose Primary Phase head teacher Kate Beecroft said: “We received over 200 fantastic entries from children aged 3-11 across the school for our competition.

“The winning children, Karis and Joshua, were both thrilled and have been seen proudly riding to school using their new bikes!”

Steve Wallis, area operations manager for Tarmac, said: “We are pleased to have been able to help Bemrose School with this donation and hope the children enjoy using the new bikes. We are committed to supporting the communities around our operations and are currently looking at how we can assist the school further with possible career workshops and advice.”

National Bike to School week is organised by the cycling charity Sustrans and supported by the Bikeability Trust. The aim is to celebrate cycling and scooting, and the benefits for children’s health and the environment. Schools are supported with resources during the week to inspire pupils to think about active travel to school, as well as the causes and effects of air pollution.

Mrs Beecroft added: “Bike to School week was a great way for children to kickstart their active travel to school and to encourage a healthy school run for all of them.”