Belfast Mayor's thumbs up for Finaghy PS cycle shelters proving a hit with parents and kids
Belfast Mayor Micky Murray has given a big thumbs to a pilot bike shelter scheme that's already proving a hit with parents and kids at Finaghy Primary School. They were installed through £402,500 of 2022/2023 funding from the Department for Infrastructure to Belfast City Council to deliver an 'Active Travel Enablers Project'.
The facility is already said to be encouraging families to make the switch from driving to school to cycling or wheeling.
Mayor Murray visited the South Belfast primary on Friday to launch the project and meet with youngsters using it.
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He said: "They're a credit to the principal and teachers, the Parent Teacher Association, and of course their parents and guardians. I hope that seeing the success of this pilot scheme will start more positive conversations about how we can work to ensure schools across Belfast have access to secure cycle facilities to support existing programmes like the Department for Infrastructure’s Active School Travel Programme.
"We urgently need to move away from using cars – and when these young people hop on their bikes to make the short journey to school, it's not only improving their health and wellbeing, it’s also helping to reduce carbon emissions from the school run."
Sustrans NI provided support to Finaghy Primary School through the Active School Travel programme, to ensure pupils have the skills, knowledge, and confidence to safely cycle to school.
Finaghy principal, Rosalind Corbett, said: "It's a great feeling for Finaghy Primary School to be leading the way in encouraging active travel.
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"Thanks to this funding and support from Belfast City Council and the Department for Infrastructure, our pupils and staff now have a safe facility to store their bikes. We've been very fortunate to have had strong backing and support from our Parent Teacher Association and Sustrans NI, as well as the Education Authority, which provided valuable support and advice."
The bike parking has also been a hit with parents and kids. Jenny Robinson said both her kids "really enjoy cycling to school and that "the cycle shelters are a great addition - it's wonderful to see so many children cycling each day".
Alaa Zahran added: "A million thanks to Belfast City Council and Department for Infrastructure for installing the lovely outdoor cycle shelters at the entrance of our beloved Finaghy Primary School. It has further developed the school, brings happiness for all green and sustainability advocates, and encourages a dynamic and healthy cycling environment."
The P7s have also given the new shelters the thumbs up. Mutasim said they "have changed my life in a way, as I don’t worry that my bike will be taken" while Grace said: "I love the bike shelters because they encourage me to ride my bike and get exercise."
Emma added: "I love the way it represents our school with our logo. We care about our bikes and taking care of them."
Lewis was also impressed, saying: "It's good to know that when I’m in school my bike is safe and dry."
Two further secure cycle parking initiatives will soon be launched at Queen’s University Belfast and at Titanic Quarter Belfast, which will also be funded through the £402,500 Active Travel Enablers Project funding. £108,197 of the £402,500 grant funded secure cycle parking including Titanic Quarter, Queen's University Belfast along with the pilot scheme at Finaghy PS. The remainder of the funding was allocated for the delivery of covered cycle stands and repair stations across Belfast on council land. Click here for more information.
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