Pupil wins £10,000 to fuel bike campaign

A TEENAGER has convinced the Scottish Government to get his cycle-to-school campaign up and running.

Sixteen-year-old Tom Sparks came up with the Pedals Not Petrol scheme two years ago to encourage fellow pupils at James Gillespie's to cycle to school.

And a panel of judges in the Government's Young Persons Challenge Fund competition was so impressed with the idea, they have awarded him £10,000 to set up the project.

From Monday, pupils will receive a point for every day they cycle to the Marchmont school. The points they gather will be turned into vouchers to spend in High Street shops.

Tom, who is now in fifth year, has been drumming up interest from his schoolmates and hosting regular assemblies on the scheme during the past few weeks.

Only around 14 pupils cycle to James Gillespie's during the winter months, but already more than 100 youngsters have said they are interested in taking part in Pedals Not Petrol.

Tom, of Fairmilehead, said: "I love cycling. It's a brilliant sport. If more people cycled, we would have much less problems with congestion.

"Once people start cycling, they will begin to ask why they didn't do it before. But to get people started, you have to give them some kind of incentive.

"Mine was having to endure a 40-minute bus ride every day."

And while Tom said he was delighted with the number of people who have said they would like to take part in the scheme, his promotional activities are only just beginning.

Pupils will be able to join an after-school bike club from next week, where their bikes will be given free health checks. Youngsters will also learn how to repair their bikes, receive cycling proficiency training and go on organised rides.

A new website is also due to be launched soon, giving cycling advice to pupils and information on safe cycle routes.

Tom said: "I'm really pleased that so many people have signed up to say they're keen.

"Over the next few weeks, posters will be going up around the school, we will be sending out letters to inform parents of the project and the assemblies will be continuing. I have been working on this solidly for the past six to eight months and have been speaking to as many people as possible to let them know about it."

Headteacher Alex Wallace has supported Tom throughout his meetings with the Scottish Government competition panel, but said the initiative was very much "Tom's baby".

He said: "It's a super idea and he will generate a lot of support. He is a very confident young man and well respected. The school has quite an active environmental group, so it will add to that."

Pedals Not Petrol will initially run for three months, until March, when it will be reviewed to see how successful it has been. It is hoped the project will then be extended.