Bicycle Mayor of Warwick, Simon Storey, is celebrating his 200th Bicycle Bus, alongside the most recent launch of the initiation in Whitnash.

A Bicycle Bus is when a lead cyclist picks up children and parents along a planned route at predetermined points and the group cycles to school together.

As part of his role as a British Cycling coach, Simon became aware of a webinar during lockdown on how to start a Bicycle Bus hosted by British Cycling alongside organisers already running Bicycle Buses in their local areas and the session sparked his interest.

This led to the launch of the very first Bicycle Bus in Leamington and Warwick.

Since 2012, Simon has organised and completed a number of personal cycling challenges. These include coast-to-coast rides across Great Britain at its thinnest, widest and longest points.

He has also cycled through five capital cities across five countries in five days.

Celebrating his 200th Bicycle Bus and the launch in Whitnash

Recently, Simon marked his 200th Bicycle Bus, and launch of the Bicycle Bus in Whitnash.

The ride took place earlier this week on 12 January and saw six children take part on a 2.5-mile route that is almost entirely on dedicated cycle infrastructure. 

One child was overheard telling their parents at the school gates that the Bicycle Bus was "brilliant".

Where the Bicycle Bus first began

What started as offering advice and support remotely soon developed into a hands-on approach, working directly with schools and families.

Simon shared: "I wanted to find a different way of getting to school, but I realised that when I asked around a lot of people were saying they didn't feel safe going to school on their own.

"I realised, it was a bit of a gap in the market where, going to school in a group, makes it safer for people and that's where I'm coming with a lot of these initiatives that I'm setting up."

He stated that an average school run in the UK is only 1.6 miles long, "which is really short."

However, around 46 percent of children get driven to school. 


"I think if you asked a lot of those parents, a lot of them will probably say it's not safe to cycle or walk."

Since 2020, Simon has helped establish 16 Bicycle Bus initiatives, mainly across Warwickshire. 

In 2023, he helped launch a Bicycle Bus at a high school, an experience that was captured by a film director making a short film about bicycle buses.

At its heart, the Bicycle Buses involves children and parents cycling to school together as a group, led by adults, creating what Simon describes as a "party on wheels".

"I have music playing from a mobile speaker, bubbles blowing from a machine and the kids arrive to school absolutely buzzing," he said. 

He added: "That playground buzz spreads really quickly and other children want to join."

Bicycle Mayor Simon Storey marked his 200th Bicycle Bus and launched a new route in Whitnash (image via Simon Storey)

The benefits, he says, go far beyond reducing car use. Children gain physical and mental health benefits, parents get exercise and quality time with their children, and schools see calmer, happier arrivals.

"Headteachers are also incredibly supportive," Simon added. 

He noted, instead of anxiety at the school gates, children arrive laughing, chatting and ready for the day.

Reaching 200 Bicycle Buses is a proud moment for Simon.

"I usually do one a week, sometimes two," he said. 

"So hitting 200 really shows the longevity of it, and what a way to celebrate, by starting another initiative."

Looking ahead, Simon has a growing waiting list of schools keen to get involved.

His next Bicycle Bus is set to launch in Stratford, with interest also coming from Westgate School in Warwick and a school in Rugby.

Simon is also the voluntary Bicycle Mayor for Warwick, a role he took on after repeatedly contacting the council to resolve issues such as overgrown hedges and unsafe routes.

Looking ahead, Simon has a growing waiting list of schools keen to get involved, across Warwickshire(image via Simon Storey)

"Cycling to school is just one small part of a bigger picture," he said. 

"If we want more people to cycle, we need to remove the barriers whether that's safety, confidence or infrastructure."

However, Simon noted a big challenge to increasing cycle use in the area, comes from local government.

Simon stated that despite requesting to meet with the Warwickshire County Council's leader Cllr George Finch, 'numerous times' to discuss how Bicycle Buses can help with home to school transport spiralling costs he has refused.

Also, Simon has invited him to join an informal bike ride to 'experience what cycle infrastructure feels like for a cyclist.'

Nevertheless, Simon has set himself the challenge of making Warwickshire the Bicycle Bus capital of the UK, believing the initiative proves that active travel can work for families.

Schools interested in starting their own Bicycle Bus can contact Simon at [email protected], visit www.thebicyclebus.co.uk, or follow The Bicycle Bus on social media to find out more.

Nub News has written to Cllr George Finch for comment and is awaiting his response.