Education Today Education Today Magazine
To celebrate the Platinum Jubilee, the Bikeability Trust and Frog Bikes want to show the nation why cycling is an essential part of childhood.
They are asking children to write a letter to the Queen to tell her why cycling is the most fun, beneficial and healthy childhood pastime, and thank her for encouraging generations of royals to get confident on their cycles.
The royal family has huge potential to inspire generations, and have always released family photos showing how this mode of transport is accessible to everyone. Queen Elizabeth was pictured on a trike in a London park when she was a child, Prince William and Prince Harry were pictured enjoying cycling throughout their childhoods, and were even spotted playing bike polo. Whilst the youngest generation have already been whizzing around on balance bikes.
Children are being encouraged to decorate their letter with drawings and photographs, with a select few being sent to Buckingham Palace for the Queen to thank her for her 70 years of public service in inspiring children.
Children can ask their grown-ups to download their letter template from the Bikeability website and then get creative! They can explain why they love cycling, share pictures of their favourite bike and share stories about their bike rides.
Emily Cherry, Chief Executive at the Bikeability Trust, said: “Lots of members of the royal family have been pictured enjoying cycling during the Queen’s reign. Her majesty herself has been pictures on trikes and bikes since her childhood, and we know the youngest generation love to cycle after seeing pictures of Prince Louis and Prince George cycling.
“Cycling has been a mainstay of children for the 70 years the Queen has been on the throne, which is why we want to celebrate all things pedal power! We know millions of children across England share the royal family’s love for cycling, so we want them to share their cycling memories with the Queen to celebrate her reign.”
All letters will be entered into a competition to win a brand new Frog bike (worth up to £455) and the very best letters will be sent to Buckingham Palace.
Taberna Sansom, UK Marketing Manager of Frog Bikes, said: “We’re excited to be teaming up with Bikeability to encourage children to share their love for cycling in the run up to the Queen’s jubilee. We are pleased to be able to offer a brand new Frog bike to the lucky winner. Our bikes are lightweight and designed with the child in mind. We’re looking forward to reading all the letters to the Queen to help choose our winner.”
As well as running the competition the Bikeability Trust has been chosen to appear in the commemorative album that will celebrate the life and reign of the Queen. Her Majesty The Queen: The Official Platinum Jubilee Pageant Commemorative Album is a fully illustrated coffee-table book.
The Bikeability Trust was chosen to be part of the album in recognition of its work to get more children cycling. The album will feature an exclusive interview with Bikeability Trust Chief Executive Emily Cherry, in which she speaks about how cycling has remained an important part of children’s lives since the Queen took to the throne.
The competition will run from 16 May – 6 June. You can download your template and find all terms and conditions, including how to enter, on the Bikeability website. The winner will be announced on 7 June. To find out more about Frog Bikes go to frogbikes.com.
