Bike Week is a celebration of active travel, sustainable transport and simply the joys of cycling a bike!
“It’s Easy, It’s fun and it’s for everyone”
In partnership with the National Transport Authority, this year Green-Schools will celebrate Bike Week from Saturday May 10th until Sunday the 18th. National COW Day (Cycle on Wednesdays/Weekdays) will be held on Wednesday May 14th.
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.
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.
Competitions!
For Bike Week 2025, 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. There will also be spot prizes given, so any school that enters can win!
If you need a little help, a COW day guide can be downloaded here
Remember to keep a record of how many students cycled to school on National COW Day, Wednesday 14th May. Simply complete and submit the entry form to ensure that your numbers are included.
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, if you don’t have a bike or haven’t learned to cycle yet, show us why you would like to. Whatever your experience may be over the last while, 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!
The Competition is open to all primary and secondary school students residing in the Republic of Ireland, but entries must be submitted by an adult (18 and over).
*Note – the photograph need not show any faces, get creative!
*Ensure photo consent is confirmed by guardians
The categories for entry are:
School collage: School compiles photos from students to make a collage:
‘The Art of Cycling: Pedal Perspectives’
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.
Click here for full terms and conditions.
The closing date for the photo competitions is the 7th May. Winners to be announced during Bike Week.
Don’t forget to share your photos and news with us on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter by tagging @GreenSchoolsIre and @TFIupdates, using #BikeWeek.
Have a look at some of last year’s winners!
Resources
Click the buttons below for downloadable resources for your school!