Skelton Grange Environment Centre has been playing host to a range of activities as part of Bike Week 2009. Most of the staff and volunteers at the environmental education centre in South Leeds cycle to work regularly, and have been rewarded for their efforts with a slap up breakfast!
A cycle maintenance workshop helped everyone to learn how to fix their bikes and keep them safe, while a group cycle along the Transpennine Trail led hungry cyclists to a tasty breakfast at the centre. Cycling is encouraged as a healthy and speedy way to get to work by providing free cycle safety equipment such as hi-vis jackets, cycle mileage for volunteers, and a bike shed to keep bikes dry and secure.
“It’s been great to learn how to keep my bike properly maintained, I feel a lot safer knowing how it all works and how to fix it,” said staff member Liz Sargeant. “I cycle to work regularly – it’s a great way of keeping fit, saving money on bus fares and helping the environment too!”
Skelton Grange Environment Centre is an innovative environmental education project in South Leeds, which is a partnership between BTCV and National Grid with support from Leeds City Council. It offers a range of fun, hands-on environmental education activities for schoolchildren which aim to encourage an interest in the natural world. For more information visit the website www.skeltongrange.org.uk.
Bike Week is an annual opportunity to promote cycling as a source of fitness and fun. Up and down the UK, thousands of free cycling events provide the opportunity for everyone from total novices to passionate cyclists to get on their bikes. Bike Week 2009 takes place between 13th and 21st June.