New research by the campaign group shows 1,100 Year 7 students who live within a 15-minute cycle ride are being driven to school and nearly one-fifth who live within a 6-minute walk are also being driven.
These and other statistics will be presented to the Mayor of MK by a large white rabbit on Station Square next Thursday, along with recommendations for action from MK schools and the City Council.
Cllr Zoe Nolan, Cabinet Member for Children & Families, said: ‘We know children learn more easily when they get enough physical exercise, so cycling or walking to school is a pro-brainer! That’s why MK City Council has set a target of 80% of Year 6 pupils receiving Bikeability training. Now we need more schools and parents to help achieve it.”
Cllr Jane Carr, Cabinet Member for Tackling Social Inequalities, said: “One in five MK households has no access to a car, so freedom to travel around our city is in issue of social equality. For people who live in these households, we want to make walking and cycling as safe and attractive as we can.”
Julie Dawes, Events & Community Engagement Manager at The Parks Trust, a founder member of Cycling CitizensMK alliance, said “We welcome this report. We encourage people to walk and cycle in our parks, and we’re pleased the ‘Follow the Rabbit’ ride will end at the Light Pyramid in Campbell Park so everyone can enjoy the view.”
The ‘Follow the Rabbit’ ride leaves Central Station at 5.30pm on Thursday 28th March for a short ride around CMK, dropping chocolate eggs for and clues to win a huge chocolate egg donated by John Lewis. All welcome (children with parent/carers).
Please find full details here.
