Bike libraries are set to open at 6 more primary schools in Banbury and Bicester.
Hanwell Fields, Orchard Fields, St Leonards and Longford Park primary schools in Banbury and Southwold and Gaglebrook primary schools in Bicester will each take delivery of 20 bikes, which will be stored in secure bike shelters.
Bike libraries work in exactly the same way as traditional libraries. Children loan bikes for a term to either learn how to ride or improve their cycling skills. Schools can also choose to retain the bikes for internal clubs.
The bikes are being supplied by Cherwell District Council and British Cycling. Helmets will also be provided for pupils who do not have their own.
The libraries are part of a wider project supported by a £500,000 grant from the Government’s Opening School Facilities Fund which has been set up to help schools open their facilities outside of the normal school day. Cherwell is the first district in the county to benefit from Oxfordshire’s tranche of money. The District Council has provided £70,000 of forward funding to enable the bike libraries to be installed.
Bike libraries are already operational at Longfields, Bure Park and Kings Meadow primary schools in Bicester and at Heyford Park School.
The rollout of more bike libraries comes after another cycling-related announcement. Earlier this month, the District Council revealed it was working in partnership with Banbury Town Council to bring a state-of-the-art BMX pump track to Spiceball Park in Banbury.
