Scooters are becoming increasingly popular among children and young people in Gwent. HANNAH WOOD finds out more.

MORE and more children and young people across Gwent are getting out and using their scooters. From skate parks to countryside tracks and even riding them to school, this growing trend is proving a good way for youngsters to keep fit and healthy while having fun at the same time.

Many organisations including, councils, charities and schools are realising the benefits that riding a scooter has for children.

One organisation that recognises this is Monmouthshire Youth Service, which has seen more and more scooter fanatics using theirs at the youth service’s skate park in Abergavenny.

Youth and community worker, Steve Caswell said: “Scooters over the past few years have massively grown in popularity and now the biggest user group of Abergavenny Skate Park is young people who ride scooters.”

The park is an ideal place to scooter with flat banks, a box, quarter pipe, grind boxes and a partial bowl and scooters can also be hired out by budding youngsters eager to have a go.

Mr Caswell said: “Scootering is a brilliant way to meet people of a similar interest and gives you the opportunity to make new friends and meet new people. "The young people who use the skate park support each other and always look out for each other. I recommend coming along and giving it a go as it gives young people the opportunities to gain skills, make friends and take part in an outdoor activity that helps you keep fit.”

Darran Ward, owner of Freestyle skate store in Newport, has also noticed the growing trend in scooters over the last few years. He said: “We have seen a lot of people buying scooters recently and, particularly in the last four years, scooter sales have definitely peaked.

“There appears to be an emerging scooter scene across Wales and the UK nowadays with lots of teenagers and young people taking part. I think this is because there are so many fantastic parks and areas for people to use them.

Mr Ward explained that places such as Newport city skate park, Cwmbran skate park and Chepstow skate park are among some of the best places in Gwent to use a scooter.

He added: “There’s a lot going on at the moment with trying to encourage young people to get active and get outdoors and I think using scooters is a great way to do that. It provides an alternative to staying in and using social media.”

Schools are also among the organisations encouraging the use of scooters as alternatives to indoor activities as head teacher of George Street Primary School, Julie Wood explained.

She said: “Using scooters is an excellent way for children of all ages to access the outdoors which is such an important part of their physical and social development. For our youngest children, for those who are not yet confident enough to ride a bike, it is an excellent starting point.

“When the children knew they could bring their scooters to school they were really excited with many of them saying that they absolutely loved to use them.

“In Torfaen, Pontypool Park in particular has many excellent walks and pathways where children can use their scooters safely under the supervision of their parents and I know other areas like the boating lake in Cwmbran and other surrounding park lands are good for these pastimes.

“With all the current focus on indoor electronic games, it is just so lovely to see children enthusiastic about getting outdoors."

Sustrans Cymru is a charity supporting schools in promoting active alternatives to travelling by car. They work alongside communities, schools, workplaces and policy makers to promote walking, cycling and public transport as realistic alternatives to the car for every day journeys. The organisation has been working with schools and young people across Wales to encourage the use of scooters.

Sustrans Cymru school officer Roger Dutton regularly visits schools to encourage pupils to get out and about on them. He said: “Using scooters is formerly a niche activity that has been growing more and more popular and is a different alternative to cycling.

“Scooters are designed for ramps but can also be used in park areas. They are fun, easy, relatively cheap and versatile. Parents often prefer to let their children scoot to school over riding a bike. In urban districts parents may not feel comfortable allowing their children to cycle the whole way, but may allow them to use a scooter instead.”

Businesses are beginning to notice the popularity of scooters too as Ben Gibson, managing director of Micro Scooters, explained. He said: “Micro scooters began after my wife saw our son using another child’s scooter at a local playground and saw how much independence it gave him.

“We then latched on to the idea that we could create something that gives children freedom as well as well as something that gets them out and about and having exercise.

“It is proven that when children ride their scooters to school, it improves concentration and helps with their development. It’s now become very acceptable to use scooters and we are even finding parents getting their own scooter and joining in with their children."

Local councils have are also seeing the benefits of using scooters as a way of keeping active. Councillor Anita Hobbs, executive member for social services, children and active living, said: “Blaenau Gwent council encourages local children and young people to stay fit and active. Bedwellty House is a listed regency villa in Tredegar. It is surrounded by a historic garden that was established in the early 19th century for the Master of Tredegar Iron Works. It is an ideal location to get some exercise in the fresh air."

Cllr Hobbs also added that Festival Park in Ebbw Vale has some of the best scenery the South Wales Valleys can offer, which is the perfect place to venture out around 70 acres of parkland, with walking paths and a fishing lake.

Cllr Hobbs said: “Another great location is Parc Bryn Bach, set in 340 acres of idyllic grass and woodland with a stunning lake. Parc Bryn Bach is the perfect setting for a range of activities that provide adventure, recreation and relaxation for visitors of all ages and abilities.”