School cycle club blazing a trail
A PIONEERING school cycle club has been praised in a prestigious national competition.
St Matthew's Primary School, in Bishopbriggs, was the first in the region to win a Cycle Friendly School Award.
It has now been recognised at the annual conference of Modeshift, held recently in Glasgow.
The organisation, which aims to support sustainable travel for young people, awarded St Matthew's the runner-up spot in the Cycle Initiative of the Year Award.
The award crowned a busy year for the club, which won national praise when members took part in the Pedal for Scotland ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh – more than 50 miles.
The 'Magnificent Cycling Seven' pupils successfully completed the strenuous challenge in September – the youngest just six-years-old.
Mark Kiehlmann, who organises the club, said: "I would like to acknowledge the leadership of Michael McLaughlin, head teacher at St Matthew's Primary School, and the support of East Dunbartonshire travel planning team, who made the successful nomination on our behalf."
Mark is pictured with the award alongside a representative from the category winners from Darlington.
Mark's son, Patrick, is a leading member of the group and made national headlines when he completed the 2008 Pedal for Scotland ride from Glasgow to Edinburgh – more than 50 miles – aged just five.
The 2009 Magnificent Cycling Seven comprised Beth Cowie, Patrick Kiehlmann, Alexander Forrester, Anna Begen, Rachel McNair, Josh Holland and Abbey Begen.
Last year, St Matthew's Primary School won a welcome 18,777 grant from the Scottish Government's Climate Challenge Fund in a bid to encourage more people to take to their bikes – tackling school run problems.
Email to a friend
Print this page
Looking for...
Featured advertisers
Jobs
Search for a job
Motors
Search for a car
Property
Search for a house
Weather for Kirkintilloch
Sunday 05 February 2012
Today
Light showers
Temperature: 0 C to 7 C
Wind Speed: 13 mph
Wind direction: South west
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -2 C to 5 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North east
