The inaugural Bike the Borough event saw more than 80 school children showcase cycling skills while being supported by school staff, cycling police officers and instructors from Cycle Confident.
Traffic marshals ensured the main roads were safe for the convoy of children to enjoy the cycle ride and gain confidence on two wheels.
Deputy leader Cllr Rezina Chowdhury, cabinet member for Sustainable Lambeth and Clean Air, said: “It was a delight to see so many young children feeling safe and confident to enjoy being on two wheels and ride on the streets of Lambeth with their friends.
“Throughout the year the children have been learning cycle skills and they looked thrilled to put them to the test on our first Bike the Borough event. Our Big Shift programme is helping break down the barriers to walking, wheeling, cycling or other forms of active travel.”
“Our ambition is to transform Lambeth, so it is a healthier, safer, and more climate resilient place to live. That ambition includes making cycling more accessible for everyone and especially our young people.”
The Bike the Borough event was organised through Lambeth Council’s Big Shift programme to encourage people to consider more sustainable and active ways to move around their local areas.
The schools – Rosendale Primary, Larkhall Primary, Holy Trinity Primary, Iqra Primary, St Jude’s Primary, and Heathbrook Primary – have all taken part in the Bikeabilty progamme, provided by the council through Cycle Confident, to develop their cycling skills throughout the academic year.
As well as developing their confidence, the youngsters also learned how active forms of travel like walking, cycling, wheeling, or scooting, can play a vital role in their health and wellbeing.
Lambeth’s Big Shift programme is supporting people to cycle with a range of xxx from skills and confidence sessions to bike hire schemes, car free days, and the Your Streets, Your Way competition asking residents to design their own cycle-friendly streets.
Lambeth Council is reclaiming a quarter of its kerbside space so it can be adapted as social spaces, plant and greening areas and space for more cycle infrastructure.
The council is also committed to installing 5,000 secure cycle storage spaces by 2026, including hangars customised for adapted cycles.
Cllr Isla Wrathmell, the council’s Active Travel Champion, said: “Cycling is a fantastic way for young people to stay fit and healthy, while experiencing the freedom a bike gives you.
“Our first Bike the Borough event was a huge success, and I cannot wait to help promote some of the exciting and innovative ways we are helping people to lead active lifestyles by embracing cycling, walking, or other sustainable ways to get around.”
