Ten pupils from Marine Academy Primary in Plymouth have celebrated the second anniversary of their school's free Community Bike Hub by completing a challenging 24km ride along Drake's Trail. The pupils used bicycles borrowed from the hub, which offers free equipment loans to help families access cycling.
Anniversary Ride Supported by Sustrans
The special ride was supported by the national cycling charity Sustrans, whose volunteers work closely with the school to maintain the fleet and promote healthy lifestyles. The organisers also thanked volunteer helper Mr Small for transporting the equipment to the start of the trail.
Community Bike Hub Impact
The popular hub, launched two years ago, allows families to borrow bikes and accessories completely free of charge. It was created to help more children enjoy regular exercise outside of school hours. Alongside the loan scheme, the school also runs regular group rides for local families, giving children the chance to build confidence and explore the local area together.
School's Commitment to Outdoor Activities
Marine Academy Primary is part of the Ted Wragg Trust and places a strong focus on outdoor activities. As part of this commitment, year 5 pupils also take part in official Bikeability training to learn road safety skills.
Headteacher's Praise
Georgina Reid, headteacher at Marine Academy Primary, said: “We are incredibly proud of the ten pupils who completed this fantastic challenge. The ride was a wonderful way to celebrate everything our Community Bike Hub has achieved over the past two years. It has helped remove barriers to cycling, encouraged healthy, active lifestyles and created opportunities for families to enjoy being outdoors together. Thank you to Sustrans and all the staff who have supported this initiative.”
Education Bosses Applaud Initiative
Education bosses have praised the school for its dedication to the local community, noting that making cycling accessible helps children develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. Siobhan Meredith, executive director of education at the Ted Wragg Trust, said: “This is a fantastic example of how schools can make a real difference beyond the classroom. By making cycling more accessible, Marine Academy Primary is helping children build confidence and develop healthy habits that can last a lifetime. It is wonderful to see the Community Bike Hub continuing to have such a positive impact on pupils and families.”
