Cycle Bus takes young riders on safe trip to school

* Cycle bus riders assemble in the community hall car park.

To mark this year's Cycle to School Week Drosi Bikes, in conjunction with the local primary schools and Sustrans, organised a community Cycle Bus event in Llangollen. 

Around 30 pupils from Ysgol Bryn Collen and Ysgol Y Gwernant took part in the fun ride which aimed to help give families the confidence to ride to school, whilst demonstrating the need for safer routes for children to cycle, walk, scoot and wheel around the community.

Starting from St Collen’s Community Hall, the short route, which was led by the now-infamous Drosi Bikes cargo bike, took the young riders briefly along the A5 before turning into Pengwern and heading towards the school sites. 

Though not a great distance, the busy roads and congested school gates can be daunting for any road user, but are additionally hazardous when cycling with young children. 

* Riders head along the A5 at Regent Street. 

By coming together and moving as a much larger unit, the cycle bus looks to reduce these barriers, and provides a practical and fun way to reduce traffic congestion around schools, whilst encouraging more children to cycle safely.

Drosi Bikes is a community workshop based in Llangollen, with a mission to promote inclusive and eco-friendly travel for everyone. 

Its Beth Ward said: "The cycle bus initiative is growing rapidly across the UK and though a few have been run in the town previously, we were keen to get involved and help spread the word.

"The cycle bus ethos of promoting active travel and encouraging physical activity is something very akin with our social enterprise. 

"There is a real need for safer cycling within Llangollen as this event clearly demonstrated. We were really pleased with the turn-out and a big thank you has to go to the schools for their support, St Collen Church for offering free parking for the event and to all the drivers who gave us heaps of time and space. And of course, a huge thank you to all the kids and parents who got involved and helped make our impact.

"It's hoped the cycle bus will become a regular feature going forward and we’re hopeful it will continue to grow momentum."