Biggest ever FRideDays Bike Bus took place in Cardiff

Over 300 children, parents, and teachers took part in the biggest ever FRideDays Bike Bus, organised by Suntrans, an active travel charity in the UK. Cardiff’s Radnor Primary School, Ysgol Treganna, and Ysgol Pwll Coch took part in the event.

Sam ‘Coach’ Balto, an American PE teacher who rised to notoriety after getting Justin Timberlake to join the bike bus in Portland, Oregon, joined in on the event. Coach Balto is leading the fast-growing movement and spurring it on.

The FRideDays initiative was set up by Sustrans to help local communities organise bike buses locally. Schwalbe Tyres UK Limited sponsors the programme, providing it with additional funding to reach more children across the country.

‘Coach’ Balto, co-founder of Bike Bus World, said: “Together, we can pave the way for healthier, happier, neighbourhoods.”

A bike bus is a set route where children, families, and friends can all cycle together safely on their way to school, creating an active, fun, and sustainable way to get around. Free resources are provided by the Bike Bus Project along with training and ongoing support for school communities across the UK.

Key issues around the importance of travelling and active travel are highlighted by the event, whilst encouraging children to overcome the barriers they may have to cycling.

Sustrans’ recent report, Children’s Walking and Cycling Index, found that of the 1.36 billion active travel journeys made by children last year, 38% were made on the school run. Additional studies found 66% of children were in favour of closing streets outside schools to cars during drop-off and pick-up times.

‘Coach’ Balto said: “It was exhilarating to be part of this huge bike bus and see first-hand the growing movement of Bike Buses around the globe. The children felt joy and freedom by cycling together en masse. Getting to school becomes a delight rather than a chore as part of a bike bus.

The initiative was also joined on the day by; Xavier Brice (CEO, Sustrans), Dave Taylor (Managing Director, Schwalbe UK), Sarah Merry (Deputy Leader of Cardiff Council and Cabinet Member for Education), Dafydd Trystan (Chair of the Welsh Government’s Active Travel Board) and Natalie Grohmann (Head of Active Travel Policy, Welsh Government).

‘Coach’ Balto, added: “Projects like FRideDays Bike Bus are pivotal. Together, we can pave the way for healthier, happier neighbourhoods that prioritise both the environment and community well-being.”

Hamish Belding, FRideDays Bike Bus coordinator at Sustrans, said: “Today’s joyous event aimed to highlight how riding together can encourage children on to their bikes for the school run. Fresh air, friends, and that feeling of freedom. That’s what the FRideDays Bike Bus is all about. It’s a fun way to make the benefits of cycling a regular part of the week. For children, there’s nothing like cycling with friends by their side to get the day off to the best start.”

This is a massive boost to active travel charities after funding cuts at the end of last year.