Hundreds of Dulwich students cycling to school during lockdown

Health chiefs may have got into a vicious circle in lockdown – but up to 400 pupils have responded by being part of a virtuous cycle.

Youngsters at three schools have taken to two wheels on the morning ‘run’, which has turned into a popular early pedal.

Pupils and members of staff at the Dulwich Foundation Schools – Alleyn’s, Dulwich College and James Allen’s Girls’ School (JAGS), have taken up what you could call cycology – learning by bike.

Dulwich College estimates those 400 pupils are cycling an average of three miles a day to and from school.

That means a whopping 1,200 miles – or 1,931 km for the Euro-friendly – are cycled in total every day.

That’s like pedalling to Lisbon in Portugal every day.

It’s giving those mid-life crisis men in lycra panting along the South Circular a run for their money.

At Alleyn’s School, there is a marked increase in the use of their 250 bike stands, and almost 200 JAGS’ girls are now cycling or scooting to school every day.

It is also helping the schools’ commitment to sustainability.

Dulwich College is adding extra bike and scooter parking slots; JAGS has a dedicated Eco Team of staff and pupils introducing eco initiatives into school life; and at Alleyn’s, most senior pupils walk, cycle, scoot, or take a train or bus to school.

It has a pupil-led Eco Committee and twice yearly Sustainability Weeks.

The Dulwich schools are working together as Dulwich and Herne Hill Safe Routes to School, and are also all Gold STARS Schools with Transport for London.

Cycling tweets on @DulwichCollege have been viewed more than 25,000 times and received positive messages of encouragement – a record for the college.

Pictured top: James Allen’s Girls’ School pupils with Suzie Elkerton, whole school eco co-ordinator