A BICYCLE Bus in Whitnash is glowing neon thanks to a £200 donation from the Heart of England Co-operative Society.
The Bicycle bus is one of ten local causes to receive a share of £2,950 in the latest round of donations from the Society’s Helping Hearts Awards Scheme.
And the cash has been used towards the purchase of hi-visibility vests to ensure the safety of children and adults riding the Bicycle Bus in the mornings.
Launched in October 2020, the Bicycle Bus leaves from near The Co-operative at Lower Heathcote and currently stops off at Briar Hill Infant School, St Margaret’s C of E Junior School and St Joseph’s Catholic Primary School.
The Bicycle Bus can attract up to 21 cyclists – adults and children – on any one day.
Organiser Simon Storey volunteers his time to oversee the Bicycle Bus.
He said: “When I was younger I would cycle to school on my own, but over the years there has been a real sea change, with parents driving their children to school due to various safety concerns.
“My hope eventually is that with projects like the Bicycle Bus, which are popular in places like Scotland, the number of bikes one day will take over the number of cars on the road, like in the Netherlands.”
Mr Storey added: “Since it was launched nearly two years ago the Bicycle Bus has grown in popularity. But there is no limit to how many children we can take as if it continued to grow we could split the bus.
“The hi-vis vests allow us to be more noticeable and they help to identify us as a group. Without them, drivers may be more likely to try to overtake us, which can be dangerous for all involved, but with the vests they identify us as a group and are more alert to stopping and waiting for us. The vests really are paramount to group safety”.
Other charities to benefit in the latest Helping Hearts round includes Friends of Woodloes who used their £300 towards an Easter egg hunt at Woodloes Primary School, Lapworth Cricket Club which used its £100 towards costs for the 2022 season and Wellesbourne Flood Action Group, whose £500 will be used to help prevent flooding in the area.
