A 'BIKE bus' is a big hit with children and may be the answer to the school run at every primary in the city, says the dad who set it up.

Rob Collier started the first ever Bike Bus in Worcester which helps get children safely to North Worcester Primary Academy in John Comyn Drive, Worcester. 

However, the 31-year-old father-of-two says the Bike Bus continues to grow in popularity and he would like to see one at every primary school in the city.

Worcester News: HEALTHY: The Bike Bus. Photo supplied by Rob Collier HEALTHY: The Bike Bus. Photo supplied by Rob Collier (Image: HEALTHY: The Bike Bus. Photo supplied by Rob Collier)

It is something of a family outing for the Colliers. His wife Katie, 36, and children, Oscar, five, and Harry, three, all come along for the ride.

The Bike Bus, which began in Worcester in March, starts every Friday during term time at 7.55am. The meeting point is at North Gate/Turrall Street near Gheluvelt Park.

From there the group heads along New Bank Street, Crown Street, Droitwich Road, Beech Avenue, Beech Avenue North, Bilford Road, along the path by the playing fields for a sprint finish at the school with breaks and meeting points along the way.

Typically around 30 families (10 to 15 children, the majority aged just five to six years old) and their parents take part in the weekly ride.

Staff at the school are also said to have been 'really supportive' of the venture.

An adult lead rider and another at the back provide extra safety with other adults forming a protective group around the children, stopping them from drifting off course.

Mr Collier started the Worcester group when his son started primary school.

He put out a message to other children in his class. It began as a 1km route but is now over 2km. 

Mr Collier said: "What's not to love? Bike Buses tick so many boxes: it's exercise, time outdoors, good for the planet, good for your mental health.

"You're spending time with friends and building a community and giving kids tools to make positive life choices.

"We're really focused on making sure it's safe for everyone and we're unapologetic about slowing drivers down for 4 minutes and 30 seconds once a week. It's the highlight of my week and I can't think of anything I'd rather be doing.

"The vision/dream is that every school in Worcester has a Bike Bus on a Friday morning. It needs to be set up by parents - teachers are too busy."

He said if others wanted to set up a bike bus for their school, they could get in touch with him via Bike Worcester.

He added: "None of the Bike Bus co-ordinators I've spoken to have formal training - they are just parents who want their kids to be able to cycle more."