Safety on Bikes

For some time now we have had a ‘Use of Bikes’ Policy which is on our website and shared with students who use the facility.

Given the tragic and worrying events involving students in our area over recent weeks, we have decided to update this policy. This will now include the requirement to wear a safety helmet. The sole intention of this is to better protect our students whilst using their bikes and to instil habits which will hopefully keep them safer on the roads.

This week Mr Roberts will be leading assemblies with each year group focusing particularly on the logic which underpins the changes to the policy. In discussing this with students who currently ride their bike to and from school, and following feedback from parents, it would appear that the main reason for not wearing a helmet already is that it is not cool. We are of the opinion that if this was non-negotiable then it would become the norm. Some have stated they would no longer ride their bikes to school if we enforced this. If this is the case then this would be a real shame; however it is not a good enough reason for us not to proceed. If updating this policy protects one of our students from harm then it will be worth it.

Over the half term we will be relocating the bike store so that it is more secure. We will be installing a store for helmets within this for students who do not have a locker.

In addition to this we will be organising Bikeability training for each of our users at no cost. This is a cycling course where they will be accompanied on roads around the local area in small groups. We are proposing that this happens in a rota system after half term and takes place between 1.30pm and 4.30pm. As this will mean them missing period 5 the students will need to commit to catching up on work lost. We will negotiate this with them on an individual basis.

We are also proposing organising trips to the Manchester Velodrome for all those students who have a bike user permit, to further raise their awareness and enjoyment as bike riders.

Our new policy will come into force after half term so please could you ensure that any applications for the new permit are received into school for the attention of Mr Snowdon by Wednesday 2nd November

The updated Use of Bicycles Policy can be downloaded on our School Policies webpage here

The Consent Form and related letters are available here