A group that encourages more people to cycle has been awarded funding to create six more 'Bike Buses' for children to get to school safely.

Bike Worcester's funding from Worcester City Council will help create six more buses at primary schools.

Bike Buses help encourage children and their parents to cycle to school each week on an organised route.

Volunteer leaders coordinate the groups "setting off safely and crossing carefully at junctions, which gives families a safe space and confidence to cycle together".

Bike Worcester has already set up six Bike Bus routes at four schools in the city - North Worcester Primary Academy, St Georges RC Primary School, St.Barnabas C of E Primary and Redhill Primary.

These schools even took on the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel Challenge at the end of last month, with St Georges RC Primary School operating their Bike Bus every day for two weeks.

Bike Worcester will be able to provide support for more schools in the city to help establish Bike Buses, with additional equipment, such as high-vis tabards for riders and group leaders.

The new funding will mean that the group can work closely with schools to develop custom routes, training of parent volunteers to form a protective cordon of bikes around the group, and publicity to set up and grow successful programmes.

Danny Brothwell, chair of Bike Worcester, said: "We are grateful to Worcester City Council for their support with helping us to create more Bike Buses, promoting cycling as a healthy and sustainable way of getting about.

"The Bike Buses will benefit pupils and their families, but also the wider community by reducing air pollution and promoting healthy active lifestyles.

"It’s been really heartening to see parents who haven’t been on a bike for years, regaining confidence and everyone involved agrees it’s a really joyful start to the day."

Lukas Kalnozols, age 10, takes part in the Lansdowne Park Bike Bus to get to St Georges RC Primary School.

He said: “I love doing Bike Bus each week, especially after I got my new bike for my birthday. It’s lots of fun and sometimes we even have bicycle themed music playing from one of the bikes.”

It has also helped Lukas’ mum, Egija, to build her confidence on the roads and start to cycle to work.

Bike Worcester organises regular events for families and adults. They welcome new members from all parts of the community.

Please check the events calendar and more details on their website: www.bikeworcester.org.uk