STUDENTS and teachers are being encouraged to saddle up for the start of Bike Week as only one Redbridge school agrees to takes up a pedal-power challenge.

With Bike Week due to start on June 13, London Mayor Boris Johnson and Transport for London (TfL) are encouraging the borough's schools to get on their bikes for the Capital-wide TfL Schools Cycle Challenge.

The free-to-enter event, which runs from June 15 to June 26, is open to secondary school students aged 11 to 14, their parents and school staff.

The challenge is aimed at encouraging different schools and different year groups within the same school to compete against each other to see who can get the most people doing their daily commute on two wheels.

The first week of the 12-day challenge runs during national Bike Week, but so far only King Soloman High School has registered to take part.

Ben Plowden, Director of Integrated Programme Delivery at TfL, said: “Cycling is enjoying a real renaissance in London and our research shows nearly all children believe it’s an enjoyable way to get about, but currently only a small number cycle to school on a regular basis.

"The Schools Cycle Challenge is a great way to introduce children to travelling to school by bike, with school friends and their teachers supporting - and competing against - each other on their daily, pedal powered commutes.”

Seven trophies are up for grabs across London, in the following categories:

· School with most participants

· School that cycles the most miles

· School with the most new cyclists

· Most participants in a Yr seven team

· Most participants in a Yr eight team

· Most participants in a Yr nine team

· Most participants in a Staff/Parent team.

Visit www.tfl.gov.uk/schoolscyclechallenge to get your local secondary school signed up.