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Schools trust secures £50,000 grant to establish active travel network

Friday, 15 May 2026 15:35

The Bike Bus at Oatlands Infant School.

Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust has secured more than £50,000 to launch a new active travel network across nine North Yorkshire schools.

The initiative, called CATCH (Causeway Active Travel Community Hub), aims to encourage more pupils, families and local residents to walk, cycle and travel more actively through a range of free schemes and community projects.

Plans for the programme include bike libraries, free cycling lessons, fully-funded “Dr Bike” maintenance sessions, balance bikes for schools and Bike Bus marshal training.

Key Stage 2 pupils will also have the opportunity to train as bike mechanics.

The project builds on pilot schemes already delivered by Oatlands Infant School in partnership with local schools and organisations.

Christopher Harrison, Headteacher of Oatlands Infant School and CATCH Project Lead, said:

“We are delighted to have been awarded this grant, and we are so excited to step into this next phase of our active initiatives.

"We anticipate seeing hundreds of new cyclists across North Yorkshire over the coming years, and we can't wait to hear about families and the wider community engaging with our many exciting active opportunities.”

Earlier this year, an Active Travel Toolkit developed by North Yorkshire Sport and Oatlands Infant School was distributed to every school in the county.

Of the 25 schools awarded active travel grants, 19 had already used the toolkit.

Yorkshire Causeway Schools Trust says the new funding will help expand active travel opportunities across the region while supporting healthier and more sustainable journeys for local communities.

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