A cycling Santa will be pulling his sleigh through Carlisle tomorrow morning (Tuesday 12 December) to promote a scheme offering bikes and equipment at discount prices.

Every cycle retailer in Cumbria is taking part in the scheme, which is part of Cumbria County Council’s ‘Better Ways to School’ initiative.

The initiative, run by Capital, aims to reduce unnecessary car journeys and improve safety along school routes.

Discount vouchers are being distributed in Cumbria’s schools and can be put towards bikes, helmets or bike servicing.

Santa will be riding his bike through Carlisle along with Palace Cycles in Carlisle - one of the shops taking part in the scheme - Jonathan Smith, Cumbria County Council’s Transport Policy Manager and Chris Wills, Better Ways to School coordinator.

Santa will also be announcing that, as part of the Better Ways To School 'Headstart' campaign, over 1200 cut price helmets have been sold to children throughout the county. The helmets, which usually cost up to £30, are available under the scheme at just £5.  

The subsidised helmets are being provided nationwide by the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust with the help of Government funding.

Ian Stewart, Cumbria County Council Spokesman on road safety issues, said:

"It's such a simple thing to do to strap a hat on when you're out on your bike.  

"These helmets are available for all schoolchildren for just £5 - it's such a small price to pay to make such big difference when it could prevent injury, brain damage, or even death."

Amanda Clegg is from the Bicycle Health Initiative Trust. She said:

"We have been staggered by the success of the 'Headstart' campaign in Cumbria.  

"The take up has been amazing. We thought we would get around two thousand orders in six months but the campaign, which was only launched in October, has already seen over twelve hundred children take up the offer."

ENDS

Further information from Alison Lister, Media Team on 01228 606335

Notes for editors

The Better Ways to School (BWTS) project is run for Cumbria County Council by Capita. The BWTS team tries to save lives and prevent injury by providing school children with safety skills and facilities in school.

BWTS offers free safe cycling training through Cumbrian company Cyclewise, which teaches young people how to ride safely.

For more information on BWTS go to www.bwts.net

For more information on Cyclewise, visit www.cyclewisetraining.co.uk

For more information on the Bicycle Helmet Initiative Trust, go to www.bhit.org

Photo opportunity

You are invited to send a reporter/photographer/camera to the The Courts in Carlisle at 8am on Tuesday 12 December. Santa, his bike, and his sleigh will then be travelling through Carlisle until 9am