Former magistrate encourages Northwich younsters to cycle to school (From Northwich Guardian)

Former magistrate encourages Northwich younsters to cycle to school

10:10am Sunday 3rd March 2013 in News By Gina Bebbington

Former magistrate Michael Melville formed a cycling club when he was 12 years old

A FORMER magistrate who formed a cycling club when he was 12 years old is sharing his five reasons why it makes sense to cycle to school.

Pedal Power supporter Michael Melville explained that he was rewarded with a bike for passing his 11 plus and then cycled a mile to and from school.

When the family moved five miles away from his school he was given bus fare by his parents, but often chose to cycle and keep the fare.

Micheal, a former pilot, moved to Cuddington in 1982 and was part of the now defunct Vale Royal Cycling Support Group in the 1990's.

Michael, a member of the Rotary Club of Northwich, also pedalled into Northwich to do his duties as a magistrate until he was retired in 2002.

Here are his top five reasons to cycle to school:

1. They can share new experiences with their parents, meet their school friends, learn how to recognise dangerous situations for later life

2. Children are fitter both mentally and physically, and less likely to become overweight. Only 1 in 20 children take the minimum regular exercise to maintain basic fitness. Children are more likely to continue exercise into a healthier adult life. Regular exercise increases mental capacity, and reduces the chance of mental problems.

3. Reduced pollution, global warming and asthma for all of us.

4. Less congestion for all of us. As many as 1 in 5 cars on the road at peak traffic times involved a school journey.

5 It keeps the parents fitter, they meet other parents, and save money spent on motoring.