Glasgow: Ibrox Primary School bike bus helps children cycle to school safely

Children at a Glasgow primary school are being encouraged to get active and cycle to school on the Bike Bus.

The scheme has been running at Ibrox Primary for almost a year and those involved want to get more families to take part.

The Bike Bus sees teachers and adults cycling to the right of the kids, forming a barrier to the main flow of traffic, allowing them to safely cycle to school.

Primary five pupil Harrison said: “I just started a couple of weeks ago and I really like it. It’s fun because I’m not really good at riding my bike in a straight line so this is helping me with that.”

Ella, age six, said: “I like riding on the Bike Bus instead of the car because being in the car is boring.”

Elizabetta, eight, said: “I come every week. It’s like a bike community. I really like it.”

The route to Ibrox Primary begins at the local library.

Elizabetta, eight, said it's like a 'bike community' — Elizabetta, eight, said it’s like a ‘bike community’

Part of the journey involves cycling past lorries, cars and buses.

Active Schools Coordinator James Hemmingsley said: “There are some quite busy junctions we’re crossing at times, so it’s about being organised, being safe and having people in the right spots at the right time looking after the kids.

“It’s about taking the kids through, hands on the handlebars, concentrate on what you’re doing, go nice and slow.

“The traffic and the people around us are actually very good at supporting us. We’ve never had a horn in anger, they’ve been very patient and courteous towards us.”

The school are looking for funding to buy 30 additional helmets.

Staff hope more schools will put the wheels in motion and start their own bike buses for pupils.

Primary two teacher and driver of the Bike Bus, Jane Whitehead said: “A lot of the children say to me, ‘I want to come to school on my bike, mum won’t let me.’ This gives them that opportunity to do it in a safe way.

“The Bike Bus is there, not only to raise the confidence of the children on the roads but also the parents as well. We really want to encourage families to get on their bikes.”