Be safe, be seen – we're keen to help keep students safe when cycling this winter
Wednesday, 17 November 2021
A new road safety initiative will see over 500 young people across Central Bedfordshire become safer when cycling to and from school this winter.
Along with Luton Council and Bedford Borough Council, we've been awarded a grant from the Office of the Police and Crime Commissioner (OPCC), as part of the Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership.
The funds will offer young people who cycle to and from participating secondary and upper schools a free bike check from the ‘Dr Bike’ repair service. The service will include any minor repairs and provide a free set of rechargeable front and rear lights.
On each set of lights, a QR code will be attached which links to the Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership website. This provides vital information on road safety and cycle maintenance.
Councillor Steven Dixon, our Executive Member for Sustainability, said:
I’m really pleased we have been awarded this funding which means our young people are prepared to use their bikes during winter. The bikes will have been checked so they are safe to use on the road and the free lights will help our secondary and upper school students be seen when travelling to school during the darker months ahead.
Richard Hann, Chair of The Bedfordshire Road Safety Partnership Tactical Group and Road Safety Operations Manager – Bedfordshire, Cambridgeshire and Hertfordshire Police (tri-force), explained that:
We need to reach young people who are cycling to school, making sure their bikes are road worthy and so other road users can see them. With the financial support of the OPCC this year we can educate so many more young people on being seen as they utilise an environmentally, socially and economically sustainable way of travel.