A new bike bus initiative is proving popular with families.
Bike Worcester has set up a new bike bus at Cherry Orchard Primary School, adding to its network of bike buses across the city.
The initiative allows families to cycle together to school, providing safety in numbers and encouragement for more people to ditch the car in favour of cycling.
Joel Dennison, bike bus lead at the school, said: “I’d watched the Red Hill bike bus meet outside my house last year and when my son started in reception this September, we couldn’t wait to get involved.
“It was so easy to start one and great to see so many families interested when we arrived at school.”
A parent at the school, who supported the first bike bus on Monday, October 21, said: “We’re a family of confident cyclists but travelling on main roads and streets can be nerve-wracking.
“Having the added safety of numbers and experienced volunteers made such a difference to our school run.”
Bike buses now operate in half of Worcester’s primary schools, with the aim of reaching all schools by next April.
This would coincide with the World Bike Bus Summit in 2025, where Worcester is the host city.
The summit is a grassroots initiative organised by bike bus volunteers from around the world to enable and encourage collaboration, exchange knowledge, and build connections.
Councillor Elena Round, a volunteer on the Cherry Orchard bike bus, said: “I was so thrilled to hear about the new Cherry Orchard bike bus as many families had been asking me about it for a while.
“The benefits for children, families, and communities choosing active travel to get to school is something I want to support and be a part of.”
The council is encouraging anyone interested in starting a bike bus at their school to get in touch.
The organisation has said it can provide volunteers to support the initiative.