Students from Belmont Intermediate School have been recognised with an ASB Cycle Friendly Award in the commitment by a public organisation category.The school was described as a role model for the region and has increased the number of kids getting to school by bike to the point where around 200 students of the 500 pupils regularly cycle to school.
It boasts it’s has its own cycling club and has fund raised to get new bike sheds at a time where many schools have removed their bike sheds. Belmont Intermediate was nominated for the award by Devonport resident and Cycle Action Auckland spokesperson Barbara Cuthbert.
“The school shows that with the right commitment we can change the culture of school travel choices,” she said. “It takes a committed and inspired principal to see that this is a worthwhile use of his time. “The school’s outstanding results are evidence of sustained leadership in this field and are highly worthy of national recognition.” Principal Justin Sommerville commented that “a lot of parents tell me that once their children go to Intermediate, they like the independence of getting themselves up in the mornings and setting off on their bikes.”
Many students also use other active modes and passenger transport to get to school with only 11 per cent travelling by car.
