Bike Library takes off at Longfields

We are really pleased to be able to launch our very first Bike Library at Longfields in Bicester. Thanks to funding from the Department for Transport and with our partners at Active Oxfordshire we have been able to supply 17 bikes, helmets, locks and lights to Longfields school.

Bike Libraries work very much in the same way as a traditional library with school students and families able to borrow bikes to use on a termly basis. The ambition with this initiative is to encourage more young people and their families to be active through cycling, promoting this as an alternative, more active mode of transport.

Longfields will also be running school based cycling activities for young people as they build their confidence and competence in this crucial life skill.

Paul Hollidge, Head of Longfields is really pleased to be the landmark school in this initiative:

“"After donations from the general public and hard work by all those at Bicester Green, it is great to have our Bike Library up and running.  It is so important to break down the barriers for people being physically active. We are excited to play a small part in working towards a greener and more active local community."

Josh Lenthall, Children and Young People Manager at Active Oxfordshire was equally pleased to play his part: “It is brilliant to see partnership working to break down the barriers that children and families face to cycling in Oxfordshire. Funding from Oxfordshire County Council has enabled this project to become a reality as part of their ambition to reduce carbon and improve air quality in the County. Bike Libraries are a positive step in not only enabling young people and their families to take part in a fun activity together but to reduce their carbon footprint by taking part in more active forms of travel.”

For us at North Oxfordshire School Sport Partnership Bike libraries play a role in our broader strategy to encourage young people and families to cycle more. We were fortunate to have the Women’s Tour of Britain come to the partnership which has really helped to raise the profile of cycling. Working with our partners at British Cycling, Cherwell District Council and Active Oxfordshire we will continue to provide more opportunities for people to cycle, removing the existing, systemic barriers that exist.

Thanks to this ongoing partnership we have been able to secure funding for more Bike Libraries in schools. Look out for these coming to Kings Meadow, Gaglebrook, Heyford and Orchard Fields primary schools in the coming months

We have also already run a very successful “Cycling for teachers” training course, which upskilled local teachers to make cycling a safe and fun activity that could take place on school curriculums and extra-curricular programmes. We have another course running in the new year which will grow the capacity still further. 

We are really pleased to be able to play our part in this broader partnership, ensuring more people in our school communities are happy, healthy and active.

Dean Woodham

Partnership Manager

NOSSP