Hayling Herald article October 2019

This is the article we submitted for the first edition of the Hayling Herald in October. The published article was subject to editing by the Herald.

  • Welcome to the Hayling Herald
  • An active School run, by bike, walk or scooter!
  • August family cycle ride report
  • Open Cycle Hayling meeting

Welcome to the Hayling Herald

Great to see the Hayling Herald kicking off to replace the Islander! Hayling needs a community newspaper, let’s support it.

Bike, walk or scoot to school

Bike Week Cycle ParadeWasn’t it great to see so many kids outdoors during the summer holidays, getting healthy exercise, building fitness and independence, away from their tech gadgets.

Why not keep it going by walking or riding to school – Hayling schools are right in the centre of the island? You might even have joined in to Bike to School week at the end of September?

I know it’s not quite as simple as that for everybody, but you might be surprised at the hints and inspiration from the Sustrans.org.uk website, especially their 10 reasons to cycle, scoot, walk the school run. And the brilliant Living Streets Walk to School page and even more their free family Walk To School Kit, much of which applies just as well to cycling.

For example:

  • If it’s too far, maybe one-way or part of the way to start with?
  • When cycling’s not an option, perhaps swap to walking?
  • Or park the car further away from school and walk the last bit?
  • Walking’s a great chance to bond with your kids and hear what they’re doing.
  • One fun idea is to form a ‘bike or walking train’ with neigbours.

There were three ‘Bike to School Week’ competitions running, including Cycle Hayling’s own for your best Bike Week photo.

For those that don’t know, Sustrans is the Sustainable Transport charity that inspired and designed the National Cycling Network (NCN), the fabulous Hayling Billy cycle trail (part of NCN2), and it was the inspiration for Cycle Hayling itself back in 2009.

And as Living Streets point out, October is International Walk to School month, so you’d be in global company!

But most of all, whether you walk, scoot or cycle, please send us your photos and tell us how you get on.

August family cycle ride report

Nine Cycle Hayling supporters had a very sociable August ride down the Billy Trail for coffee at Northney Farm tearooms. Lots of thoughts about how we can improve cycling.

We’ve had requests for more rides, so please tell us where you’d like to ride and when’s the best time.

Open Cycle Hayling meeting

Come to our friendly open meeting on the theme “The future of cycling on Hayling”, with a guest speaker. It will be very informal and fun. Come and hear what we’re doing, and tell us your ideas. It’s on Thursday 7th November, at 7:30 in the Community Centre Bowls room.