Olympic gold medallist to give new bike store the 'Midas touch'

Tuesday, 23 October 2012

London 2012 Olympic cycling champion, local girl and former Barton Peveril student, Dani King, brought her 'golden touch' to the College's new cycle storage, when she officially opened the facility on 18 October.

£10,000 towards the installation of new secure cycle storage

Working with Hampshire County Council, Barton Peveril College recently reviewed its College Travel Plan and as part of this, a survey of parents indicated that a lack of secure parking for bicycles was one of the barriers discouraging students from cycling to college. As a result, the County Council has made a contribution of £10,000 from its My Journey campaign, towards the College's installation of a new secure, cycle compound which can hold up to 80 bicycles. Students wishing to park their bikes there will be given a key card giving them exclusive access to the compound and peace of mind when they lock their bikes away for the day.

Hampshire County Council's Deputy Leader and Executive Member for Environment and Transport, Councillor Mel Kendal, said:

"Thanks to our successful bid for Government funding, we have been able to continue to support schools and colleges in their school travel planning activity and find ways to encourage more students to walk or cycle. On behalf of the County Council, we are pleased our contribution has enabled the college to provide secure bike storage and Dani King's visit is sure to inspire students to cycle more. We hope that many others, across the county, will be motivated to walk or cycle to school or college instead of being driven by car.

"Fewer cars taking students to school and college should contribute to an overall reduction in congestion on our roads, particularly at peak, rush hour times of the day. There are also benefits to be had in health terms when levels of physical activity are increased, as well as money to be saved on fuel costs, and choosing to walk or cycle instead of driving is an obvious way to do this."

Barton Peveril College Principal, Jonathan Prest, added:

"Barton Peveril is committed both to the Green agenda and to the good health of staff and students. Dani's endorsement of an active lifestyle where more people cycle to college rings all the right bells and is a great way to inspire the Olympic legacy in our community."

After opening the cycle storage, Dani King made time to visit the college's fitness suite to talk to Sport and Physical Education (PE) students about what it takes to become an Olympic athlete and answer their questions.

Earlier in the day, before visiting Barton Peveril College, Dani King, paid a visit her old schools: Hamble Community Sports College and Hamble Primary School. At Hamble Sports College, she joined the County Council's cycling champion, Councillor Andrew Gibson, and two of the College's pupils for a cycle ride along the new 'Dani King cycleway' (constructed by Eastleigh Borough Council) to get to Hamble Primary School.

At the Primary School, Dani was given a demonstration of the Bikeability training that the County Council provides for children at both primary and secondary level, across the county. Hampshire schools were invited to take part in a competition to name the My Journey mascot. With the mascot - 'Rio'- a large colourful parrot present, Dani presented the competition winner, Oscar Patterson from Woolton Hill Junior School, with a new bike, bike helmet and safety equipment.

The County Council's My Journey campaign aims to encourage people to leave the private car at home and walk, cycle, take the bus or train, or even car share instead. Funding for the campaign has been secured from the Department for Transport's Local Sustainable Transport Fund, for behaviour change initiatives. The objectives of the Government's fund are to reduce congestion at peak times, and to reduce carbon and greenhouse gas emissions.

• Barton Peveril College

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