Next week, more than 1,000 Bishopbriggs nursery, primary and secondary pupils will be marking European Car Free Day on Wednesday 22nd September 2010 and showing their support for sustainable transport by simultaneously ringing their bicycle bells. The pupils will ring out for change at 1pm to the tune of the Blue Danbue, in an attempt to establish a new Guinness World Record™. The Bishopbriggs school pupils will also be joined virtually by others in East Renfrewshire, Moray, Aberdeen and Edinburgh, via a live radio broadcast on FM and the internet.
Mark Kiehlmann, of East Dunbartonshire’s Cycle Co-op says, “School pupils of all ages really love riding their bikes, be they trikes, bikes with or without stabilizers or full on mountain bikes. We wanted to give the pupils cause for celebration of their enthusiasm to ride and came up with the idea for a new Guinness World Record™.”
Eva Johnson, aged 10, P7 Meadowburn Primary School, ‘I think it’s going to be so much fun, with everyone taking part from the schools. Everyone will hear we want to ride our bikes!’
Councillor Una Walker, East Dunbartonshire Education Committee Convenor said, “I am delighted the schools in Bishopbriggs are once again at the forefront of cycling initiatives. It is wonderful to see young people cycling to and from schools in our area. Exercise is a great brain stimulus and teachers tell me that pupils seem to be more focused after their cycle. This Guinness World Record attempt on the 22nd of September will hopefully raise the profile and show that there is an alternative to car transport. I am particularly pleased that each pupil will have a bell to ring at 1pm and I look forward to hearing “The Blue Danube” ringing out all over Bishopbriggs, if not Scotland.”
Emeritus Prof. John Adams, University College London said, “A brilliant way of encouraging cycling. The more, the safer – it’s called safety in numbers. In the Netherlands where most children cycle to school the fatality rate per kilometer cycled is far lower, a feat achieved without helmets and fluorescent jackets. There it is an ordinary every-day activity like walking.”
Bicycle Bells Supplied by Dillglove Limited www.dillglove.co.uk
