Monday, December 9, 2002 Teachers at two York secondary schools are switching to bikes for their daily business.

The pool bike scheme, launched by City of York Council, will provide the schools with two brand new bikes for staff use. The bikes, leased by Cycle Heaven of York, have been fully kitted out with dynamo lighting, panniers and cycle computers.

The aim of the scheme is to replace short journeys, which are often made locally by car. Staff can also book the bikes out for travel to and from work. Problems carrying large numbers of books, a reason often cited for preventing staff from cycling to work, have been overcome by providing strong panniers with the bikes.

Staff from Oaklands and All Saints secondary schools will be the first to trial the new scheme, which is the first of its kind in the county.

Gavin Cowley, deputy headteacher at Oakland School, said: "We expect our staff to lead on all aspects of behaviour and foster positive lifestyle choices in our pupils and their families. The pool bike scheme is a great opportunity for staff to do this as well as cutting down on needless car journeys and improving their health."

The scheme has been introduced in line with other similar measures in York schools to reduce the impact of the school run upon the local environment and improve the health and safety of school staff and pupils.

Both schools have been working with the council in producing a school travel plan, which sets out a package of measures to reduce the number of car trips made to school and for improving safety on the journey to school.

Oaklands has already benefited from their travel plan with an upgrade to its cycle storage area and All Saint's is shortly to get improved cycle storage and engineering measures to improve safety and access for pedestrians and cyclists. If the scheme is successful it will be expanded to other York schools that are developing a travel plan.

Andy Shrimpton, owner of Cycle Heaven, said: "We are delighted to support this project. We hope that this will demonstrate to any organisation the logistical advantages of the bicycle. In a nutshell, bikes are very cheap and very fast".

Councillor Tracey Simpson-Laing, the council's executive member for transport, said: "This is another positive move towards residents and workers looking at transport alternatives and a great way to improve individual health. I would like to thank the two schools for becoming involved in this scheme and hope it is something that York's employers will also consider when developing green travel plans." END

Further Information: Caroline Emmerson, school travel plan co-ordinator, City of York Council Telephone:01904 551345