A recent survey by the Western Cape Education Department found at present in excess of 500 000 learners spend about two hours or more per day walking to school.

The Bike to School programme focuses on access to education by providing bicycles to learners to use as a mode of transport. A key concept here is that the learners contribute towards the cost of the bikes: while the major cost of the bike is paid by the sponsor or donor, the learner should contribute a small but meaningful percentage of the overall cost. This creates a real sense of ownership. Presently the majority of learners at schools see bikes as "uncool" forms of transport, so a crucial part of the programme is to change that perception. Here the Absa Cape Epic plays a remarkable role, presenting cycling as a glamorous and exciting sport.

Implementation:

After a general meeting of all of the headmasters of the schools surround the towns on each year's Absa Cape Epic route, all schools are invited to submit a motivation. One school per town is selected as part of the programme, with one educator per school selected as a co-ordinator and assessor. Recipients of the bicycles are selected based on the potential improvement in their education the bicycle would afford by enabling them to get to school more regularly or encouraging them to improve their grades.

Get involved. Sow seeds of hope.