Nearly 1,000 school children from across Hackney took part in the 2017 Bike Around the Borough (BATB) – an event designed to show how fun, and easy, cycling can be.
Organised by Hackney Council in partnership with the Met Police, BATB 2017 took place on 29 June and provided a chance for pupils to practice skills learnt through cycling training.
The event saw 979 children from 37 schools form a ‘bike-bus’ – where a group of cyclists ride together along a set route, picking up people as they go – while completing a nine-mile circuit.
Despite the fact the figure was slightly below last year, when a record 1,005 children took part, cllr Feryal Demirci, Hackney’s cabinet member for neighbourhoods, transport and parks, said she was ‘delighted’ with the event.
Cllr Demirci said she hoped the event would help Hackney’s children get to know the borough’s roads, helping them see how easy it is to get around by bike.
Cllr Demirci said:
“As well as being a great day out and showing how fun cycling can be to all residents, BATB will help children get on their bike more, help make the borough greener and encourage a healthy lifestyle.”
Pop-up ‘motivation stations’ were positioned along the route, with hundreds of spectators waving flags and cheering on the cyclists, creating a festival atmosphere.
Mr Ekeama, lead mentor at Baden Powell Primary School, said:
“BATB is fantastic, we did this last year, the children loved it. It is a fantastic event for them, not only do they get to learn about cycling but it’s also great for community spirit.”
Hackney aims to be the most cycle-friendly borough in London with 15% of residents travelling by bike for all journeys by 2025.
Philip Glanville, mayor of Hackney, said:
“When I agreed to take part in BATB I took up cycling training through the council, as I knew I was going have to brush up on my cycling skills if I was to match the cycling experience of the hundreds of young residents taking part.
“Biking with this next generation of Hackney cyclists was inspirational and I know they will carry on our ambition to remain the best biking borough in the country.”
04 July 2017