On Sunday May 19th, 150 cyclists of all ages and abilities joined in the Sandymount Fun Cycle from Lansdowne Tennis Club to Sandymount Green. The 3km Cycle was organised by Sandymount Cycle Bus as part of Bike Week. For the second year running we had glorious sunshine as we passed by local schools – St Matthews, Star of the Sea, Lakelands and Educate Together. The party music added to the fun and we finished up in the Green after the cycle and had treats for the kids as well as entertainment from a magician and a cyclist on stilts.
Thanks to the Cycle Bus organisers for making it such an enjoyable and successful event. Local Community Gardai* were also a huge help on the day. Not only keeping us safe on the roads but spending a lot of time in Sandymount Green afterwards handing out lights and goodies to kids and also security marking over 50 bikes. Sergeant John Healy’s “arrests” with handcuffs was the highlight of the day for many of the kids.
Cycle Bus is about giving primary school children the opportunity to cycle to school in a safe, healthy, and enjoyable environment. Cleaner air and less traffic congestion around schools is an added benefit. It’s also about children improving their cycling skills and developing their road safety awareness. Cycle Bus can grow kids’ confidence – on and off the bike – can empower them to become responsible and active, can reduce stress and give them the freedom and a lifelong love of cycling.
We’re looking forward to more community cycles and if anyone would like to organise a community cycle or join the Cycle Bus to school please get in touch..
To get involved or for more information contact: sandymountcyclebus@gmail.com or Linda Coote (cootel@gmail.com or 087.210.8328) or Clayton Love (clayton.love@gmail.com or 087.412.8203).
*Special thanks to Sergeant John Healy and his team – Anthony Kelly, Tim Allen, Deirdre Gately, Katie Sammon, Cathal Dunne, Ciaran Kavanagh & John O‘Brien.
