Leicester Tigers has shown its support for the #GetOnYourBike campaign to encourage youngsters to become physically active and start cycling more.
Along with club partner Aggregate Industries, the rugby team will be visiting secondary schools around the county over the next few months in an attempt to highlight the importance of being healthy, spending time outdoors and taking part in exercise.
When they visited Castle Rock High School in Coalville earlier this week, they told students how to keep safe when cycling – including putting on high-visibility clothing and wearing a helmet.
Paul Denby, health and safety business partner for Leicester Tigers, said: “Focussing [particularly] on safety around HGVs and built-up areas, it’s been great to chat to boys and girls at the school and, hopefully, encourage them to get out and about this summer.”
It is crucial students know how to be safe when cycling on the road, as the Royal Society for the Prevention of Accidents revealed that nearly 2,000 children were injured in a cycling incident in 2016, with 309 of these being seriously hurt.
However, the players want to encourage pupils to enjoy the outdoors and take part in fitness, as a recent study of Leicestershire secondary school pupils showed only 19 per cent get their recommended amount of daily exercise.
Indeed, while 83 per cent own a bike, a third ride it less than once a week and only eight per cent use it to get to school.
As well as visiting schools and speaking to more than 1,500 students between 11 and 14 by the end of the school year, there will also be a social media campaign initiative, asking pupils to post a photo or video of themselves on their bike with the hashtag #GetOnYourBike.
