Bike Week is a celebration of active travel, sustainable transport and simply the joys of cycling a bike!
In partnership with the National Transport Authority, this year Green-Schools will celebrate Bike Week from Saturday May 11th until Sunday the 19th. National COW Day (Cycle on Wednesdays/Weekdays) will be held on Wednesday May 15th.
Benefits of Cycling
There are multiple environmental and health benefits to cycling to school, but most importantly, cycling is one of the most efficient and rewarding ways to get to school. Cycling, as a mode of travel, is on the increase with more people choosing to cycle for shorter journeys.
The Green-Schools Travel programme aims to encourage more students to regularly cycle to school. To support this aim, these programmes focus on promoting the benefits of active travel, reducing the number of cars at the school gate and delivering cycling infrastructure to schools.
Activities
We’ve compiled a list of resources for Bike Week 2024 to help you get the most out of the week. Don’t forget to keep an eye on our social media for updates too.
Bike events will be taking place across Ireland and you can find out what activities are happening in your area by visiting the NTA’s dedicated Bike Week page. Green-Schools Travel Officers will also be hosting bike workshops, so please contact the Green-Schools Travel Team on travel@greenschoolsireland.org or your local Green-Schools Travel Officer with any enquiries.
Get in Gear course for parents in Westport area!
Mayo Sports Partnership and An Taisce Green-Schools are delighted to offer a free cycling skills course to all parents of children attending primary schools in Westport. Visit this page for more details and to reserve your spot!
Competitions!
For Bike Week 2024, we have two competitions to motivate and reward you!
COW (Cycle on Wednesday)
Green-Schools would like to invite all schools currently on Travel and Global Citizenship Travel to participate in Bike Week. Schools who have already been awarded the Travel flag are also welcome to participate in the initiative and are invited to enter the competition to see which school has the highest number of students cycling on National COW.
Remember to keep a record of how many students cycled to school on National COW Day. Simply complete and submit the entry form to ensure that your numbers are included in the count and to be in with a chance of winning great bike prizes for your school.
Photography Competition!
Would you like to inspire other young people to get on their bike for Bike Week?
Join us in capturing the essence of your biking adventures! Whether you’re exploring scenic trails, cruising through urban streets, or on your way to school, we invite you to share your unique perspective through the lens of your camera. Show us the breathtaking landscapes, the hidden gems, or simply capture the joy of riding your bike. Alternatively, let us glimpse into your world as you embark on your cycling journey.
Share your photos of you in motion, wheels spinning beneath you, or the world unfolding before your eyes. Show us the joy of movement, and the freedom of the open road as you share snapshots of yourself on your trusty two-wheeled steed. Your bike is more than just a mode of transportation—it’s a symbol of adventure, empowerment, and self-expression. So, frame your shot, and let your passion for cycling shine through in every photograph you share. Whatever your experience may be over the last while on your bike, we want to see it through your eyes, both on and off the saddle. So, saddle up, snap away, and let your bike ride tell its story!
*Note – the photograph need not show any faces, get creative!
The categories for entry are:
- School collage: School compiles photos from students to make a collage : Pedal Perspectives: Capturing the Spirit of Cycling
- Individual Junior Primary (Junior Infants – 2nd Class): Little Wheels, Big Dreams: Kids’ Bike Snap Challenge
- Individual Senior Primary (3rd Class – 6th Class) : Pedal Power Shots: Bike Photography Challenge
- Individual Secondary Schools students- Spin & Capture: Bike Photography Contest
Click here for full terms and conditions.
Prizes:
The winner of each individual category will receive a framed print of their photograph plus a One4All voucher.
The winner of the school collage category will receive a cheque for their Green-Schools initiative.
Don’t forget to share your photos and news with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by tagging @GreenSchoolsIre and @TFIupdates, using #BikeWeek.