Pedal for your Life
Pedal for your life.
8th May 2009, 1400.
An 82-year-old retired teacher who cycles to her hospital appointments has become a role model for primary school cyclists in Scotland. Kathleen Lytton is teaching pupils of St. Matthew’s Primary School – the first in East Dunbartonshire and one of the first in the country to receive Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly School Award. Kathleen is a wonderful example to all of how our health is better by bike.
Kathleen says, “I am enjoying cycling which is helping to keep my mind and body active. At 82 I have been pedalling regularly for over 70 years, and still get the weekly shop from Tesco, on my trike. I am delighted that the pupils, as young as five, are supported by parents and teacher to cycle to school, and enjoy all the benefits of regular exercise. My trike even takes me to my Osteoporosis clinic at Stobhill Hospital every Tuesday and Friday.”
St. Matthew’s Primary School is the 13th in Scotland to receive Cycling Scotland’s Cycle Friendly School Award. However, it will not be unlucky for the pupils, as they are already benefiting from Active Travel, which is improving their health. With 1 in 5 children in primary 1 now considered medically over weight or obese, this initiative goes a long way to providing the recommended one hour of physically activity for the children each day.
It is also great news for everyone’s environment, directly impacting on the school run, reducing the number of cars on the road, reducing congestion and improving air quality around the school at these critical times in the day. It is also contributing to reducing greenhouse gas emissions that are contributing to Climate Change on a global level.
Mark Kiehlmann, Sustrans Volunteer Ranger said, “Kathleen is often seen riding her trike through Bishopbriggs, almost all the children recognise her. I wonder if she is the oldest women to regularly cycle at 82? Kathleen demonstrates that our health really is better by bike.
Andrew Pankhurst of Cycling Scotland says:” Congratulations to St Matthew’s Primary School on getting the Cycle Friendly School Award. The award encourages a cycle culture within the school and we hope this will inspire present and future generations of children to travel in an active and environmentally friendly way.”
Professor Stephen Stradling chair of Transform Scotland Trust, publisher of ‘Towards a Healthier Economy’, makes the key finding that Scotland’s economy could benefit by up to £4bn annually, if the country was to move to continental European levels of cycle use, said, “Children, parents and school are to be commended on their contribution to maintaining a habitable planet. This is exactly the kind of low-carbon, active travel initiative that local and national government should be facilitating, by providing a lot more dedicated cycling infrastructure. Keep those wheels turning!”
