Secondary school bans bikes over health and safety fears

I can understand the school’s perspective that due to Health and Safety, biking to school is no longer allowed. But this is ridiculous, the idea is not to ban biking but to try to get some racks. It shouldnt be that difficult to get some racks fitted. Instead the school and the head turn out sounding like utter prats. I quote:

Wodensborough Community Technology College in Wednesbury, West Mids, said that health and safety issues prevented them from allowing bicycles onto the premises. Staff are concerned they will get knocked over in the narrow driveway and also said there is nowhere practical for them to leave their bikes.

Instead, they have been told if they must cycle they have to leave their bikes at friends or family nearby.

But a local councillor said the move went against everything they were trying to do in promoting a healthier lifestyle for young people.

Mavis Hughes, who Sandwell Council ward covers the 1,000-pupil, mixed comprehensive, said: “Cycling to school is the only exercise some of these children get. We have been saying for ages that parents shouldn’t take their children to school in cars. The pupils should be walking or cycling in.

“This is ludicrous; we should be encouraging children to cycle to school. It contradicts everything we are for. It is health and safety gone too far.”

Another issue involves bikes being stolen. Mrs Hughes said she had been contacted by two sets of parents whose children had had their bikes taken after chaining them up outside of the school grounds.

“When the children returned at the end of the day, someone had cut through the chains,” she said.

Ken Ellis, the school’s head, has written to all parents, saying: “Reluctantly, on the grounds of health and safety, we have asked students not to bring cycles into school.

“At the moment, we have one relatively narrow drive into school and several times a day 1,000 students and more than 100 cars, minibuses and taxis use this.”

Mr Ellis also told parents the school has no cycle racks to accommodate youngsters’ bikes.

I agree, its health and safety gone mad.