Schools take part in Cycling Challenge

Almost 1000 pupils from across South Lanarkshire have taken part in this year's Cycling Challenge.

Schools throughout the area had the chance to win £300 and a prize bag for each participating pupil, with 23 schools registering 912 pupils for the challenge.

Schools were provided with promotional posters, pupil diaries to record the points gained by cycling and a school return form - all produced in-house by the Road Safety Team and South Lanarkshire Council PR Design Section.

In addition, supporting organisation Cycling Scotland provided a high visibility vest to each Cycle Challenge participant.

Pupils within Primary 6 and 7 earned points by cycling to and from school and at the weekends. Additional points were available to each pupil by wearing a cycle helmet for the duration of the challenge.

The Cycle Challenge operated during, and the week prior to, National Bike Week (14th - 22nd June 2008).

Chair of the Road Safety Forum, Councillor John Murray, said: "I am delighted so many pupils from across South Lanarkshire took part in the challenge this year.

"Cycling is a wonderful way of keeping fit and having fun, as well as being much better for the environment.

"We are trying to ensure that our pupils grow up having a love for cycling which they will take into their adult lives.

"We are currently processing all the results from the schools who took part and hope to announce the winning school soon."

The photo shows pupils from Crosshouse Primary School, East Kilbride, with Councillor John Murray and Debbie MacKenna, Acting Depute Head Teacher.