Pupils get on their bikes

PUPILS from green schools all over Clare will show their support for a healthier environment by participating in National Bike Week from June 14 to 18.

On June 16, they will take part in the Green Schools National Cycle on Wednesday (COW) to help raise awareness of cycling as a sustainable mode of travel.
On the day, up to 300 children from Barefield, Knockanean, Clarecastle, Cloughleigh, Holy Family, CBS Ennis, Ennis Boys National and Gaelscoil Inis National School will be coming together on bikes at 1pm at the Clare County Council offices to go on a 7km tour of Ennis, escorted by gardaí, with refreshments being provided by Ennis Tidy Towns.
In Shannon, up to 300 pupils from the town’s national schools will be coming together on bikes at 1pm at Shannon Town Hall for a 7km cycle tour of the town. In Kilkishen, fifth and sixth-class pupils will go on a historical cycle of their locality, taking in sites of interest as they go.
A number of other national schools who have been awarded their green flag for travel, including Ballyvaughan, Inagh, Furglan, Flagmount, Crusheen, Kilmihil, Miltown Malbay and Tulla are all having Cycle on Wednesdays days, getting as many children as possible to cycle to school on the day.
Roisín Ní Gháirbhith, green schools travel education officer, said, “Green schools is committed to promoting sustainable travel options, including cycling as a real alternative to the car. Cycling to school is a great way to be active during the day, as well as reducing traffic congestion at the school gates. It’s also a great way to connect with friends and can benefit the community in so many ways.”
There will be a number of other events around the county during the week. On June 12, there will be a bring a bike back event from 10am to 2pm at the Ennis Recycling Centre in the Gort Road Business Park. People will be able to bring a bike with their regular recyclable waste and the fee will be paid for them to access the recycling centre. Those who come to take a bike will be asked to make a donation and any funds exceeding costs will go to the Brothers of Charity. Basic repairs of bikes will be done on site.
On June 13, there will be a family friendly cycle in Ennis from the Fairgreen to Ballyalla Lake, a distance of about two miles. June 14 will see a bike maintenance workshop at Rockmount National School, while on June 19, the Tour De Burren will take place. This is a chance for all who have been warming up all week to take part in one of the most scenic cycle routes in the county. There are 10km, 60km and 120km length routes, so there is one for every level of cyclist.
Free bike fixing and cycle training workshops are being hosted during the week by South Clare Wheelers in Sixmilebridge, Burren Cycling Club in Ballyvaughan, West Clare Wheelers in Kilrush, Dolmen Cycling Club in Ennis and the Clare Crusaders Cycling Club in Ennis.