Donegal Bike Week clicked into gear by Muff pupils
Scoil Naomh Bríd in Muff was the venue for the Donegal launch of National Bike Week on Friday morning.
The sixth-class pupils from the Inishowen school used the newly completed Muff Greenway for Friday morning's cycle under the guidance of teacher, Mrs. McColgan, Cycle Right instructor, Mary Kelly, Garda motorcyclist, Shaun Tully, and Donegal Road Safety Officer, Brian O'Donnell.
The pupils wore high-viz tops and safety helmets and all enjoyed the experience of pedalling along the recently-opened route for the first time.
Speaking at Friday's launch, Scoil Naomh Brid Principal, Teresa Ward, said it was a great honour for the school to be leading out on the first event to mark the official start of Donegal Bike Week.
"It's important to remember that people have to be educated in cycling safety and this is a good start for these children. The fact that Mary Kelly, who worked with the school in the past in training our pupils in cycling in the past, was also here to help out was great. Teaching pupils to cycle properly is another life skill they can take with them as they progress on to secondary school and third level. There are also the important health benefits that cycling provides," Mrs. Ward added.
"This is the thirteenth consecutive year for Donegal to be part of National Bike Week and there are 23 different events being held throughout Donegal over the week. For the first time, we've had a greenway to launch the initiative and it's such a fantastic resource to have. To be able to hold a cycling event for children in a safe, accessible, traffic-free environment was a pleasure. It's a brilliant addition for the community of Muff and neighbouring villages and we're delighted to see the first section completed here in Inishowen," she added.