Cycling Safely in South Tipp- Bike Week 2010


Bike Week Photos
 Over the last number of months a cycling programme which was offered to all schools in the county was partially funded by South Tipperary County Council, South Tipperary Sports Partnership, An Taisce – Green Schools, HSE, the Road Safety Authority and more recently the Department of Transport (in association with Bike Week) has been underway in a number of primary schools within the County.
Liam Collins and his cycle safety crew visited 17 national schools and provided cycle training to over 500 children between the ages of 9-12. The crew arrived at the schools at 9am with bicycles, helmets and an action packed programme that catered for all abilities including children with special needs. By the end of the days’ programme every child went home with all basic cycling skills, techniques and safety information in relation to cycling a bicycle. All of the schools were delighted with the standard of the programme and the knowledge and skills that the children brought away from the programme. This programme will continue in the autumn for the remainder of the schools who applied to be included.

South Tipperary County Council, Road Safety Officer Carol Creighton and South Tipperary Sports Partnership Coordinator Valerie Connolly in conjunction with Liam Collins, Safer Cycling Programme came together to organise the school programme. In conjunction with Bike Week it was agreed to organise a final event between all schools that completed the programme. This was held on Tuesday 15th June in the Pat O Callaghan Complex, Cashel Road, Clonmel. The sun was beating down when over 300 children from 10 different schools arrived at the centre ready to demonstrate their skills for Bike Week in front of a wide audience. Tipperary Hurler Eoin Kelly, Chairman of South Tipperary County Council Liam Ahearne and Fionnuala McGeever, Chairperson of South Tipperary Sports Partnership Board also graced us with their presence and encouraged the children during the demonstrations. A choice of either green or pink hi-viz jackets were given to each child on the day by South Tipperary Road Safety Section and this kept Eoin Kelly busy signing autographs on the back of them and stepping into many photo snaps. The Beat Fleet 102-103 FM were in full swing with Clonmel DJ - Brian Dowling inside entertaining children and providing lots of prizes in the background while they waited for their school to be called up for their tests and skills programme. Along with the skills tests by Liam and his crew, there was a bicycle related treasure hunt run, facepainting by Irene Kallcut, Ardfinnan, An Taisce - green schools information stands with colouring competitions and South Tipperary County Council Public Awareness Stands with lots of goodies. Brendan Martin and Mark O Reilly, the two students from Clonmel High School who won the National Young Entrepreneur Awards with their cycle safety playing cards distributed their product to all students during the day. A fine selection of food was distributed on the day by Eileen Condon, Newcastle and a special thanks to Glenpatrick Spring Water for sponsoring the drinks and keeping everyone hydrated for the event.

A special thank you to the following
All national school teachers and pupils who travelled to the event and made it such a  huge success, Safer Cycling Team - Liam Collins and his crew, South Tipperary County Council Road Safety Team, Sports Partnership Team in Cashel and An Taisce.