DOE cartoon safety character Skooter joined kids from Bunscoil Bheann Mhadigan in north Belfast recently to remind Santa to look out for childrens’ road safety when he is leaving them bicycles this Christmas.
Children all over Northern Ireland will be hoping to find bikes under the tree on Christmas morning and the message is a straightforward one for both parents and children – remember to ask Santa to leave a bicycle with a bell, helmet, reflective clothing and lights when you’re writing your letters to Father Christmas this year.
The pre-Christmas message is being promoted by the DOE, and supported by Centra, as part of the Cycling Proficiency Scheme campaign and aims to improve road safety awareness amongst children and parents.
The Cycling Proficiency Scheme is a DOE initiative sponsored by Centra and its 86 independently owned stores in Northern Ireland. Centra provides financial and practical support to the scheme, including help with the production of training resources for schools and raising awareness of the project among customers. Up to 9,500 school children aged 9-11 take part in Cycling Proficiency training at approximately 600 primary schools each spring.
Joining Dubaltach MacAoidh-Baiceir (10), left, and Niosa Fennell (11) from Bunscoil Bheann Mhadigan, north Belfast, to help promote the Christmas safe cycling message are DOE road safety character Skooter, Ronnie Tosh, manager of the DOE Road Safety Education Officer Service and Catherine English from Cycling Proficiency Scheme sponsor Centra.
