Isle of Wight schools are encouraging children, teachers and parents to jump on their bikes and scooters for The Big Pedal 2017 – a national challenge to get more young people cycling and scooting to school, backed by 2 times Olympic gold medallist cyclist Joanna Rowsell Shand.
Currently 21 schools across the Island have signed up for The Big Pedal 2017, which runs from Monday 20th to Friday 31st March, and will see car journeys to and from school replaced by journeys made using active modes of cycling and scooting.
Powered by national walking and cycling charity Sustrans and funded by the Bicycle Association on behalf of the cycle industry through its Bike Hub scheme, The Big Pedal is the UK’s largest competition of its kind. It is 1 of 11 projects being supported by the Isle of Wight Council through its current Sustainable Travel Transition Year programme, using external funding secured competitively from the Department for Transport.
During the 10 days participating primary and secondary schools will compete with one another to make the most journeys by bike or scooter.
This year’s theme is ‘Around the world in 10 days’, with pupils tracking their progress on a map of the world, learning about the countries and cities they pass through on their way.
Executive member for transport and infrastructure, Councillor Ian Ward, said:
“We’re really excited so many schools have signed up to take part in The Big Pedal. We hope that by encouraging our children to walk, cycle and scoot to school over the next two weeks we will see a reduction in congestion and pollution around the school gates, as well as helping the children feel healthier and happier.”
Delivery coordinator for Sustrans south, Clare Dowling, said:
“The average primary school journey is just 1.6 miles – the perfect distance to walk or cycle.
“The Big Pedal is fun, inclusive and it helps schools to encourage whole families to lead more active lives, as well as reducing car traffic and pollution around the school gates. Although the competition runs for two weeks, it has a lasting effect on the way that the school community travel to school – last year 75% of UK schools that took part in the Big Pedal said pupils continued to cycle and scoot to school following the event.”
Joanna Rowsell Shand is supporting The Big Pedal for the second year running. 1 of the best British cyclists of her generation, Joanna has won 5 world titles across individual and team events and gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics.
She said:
“Cycling is great for young people’s health, confidence and independence. The safer and more comfortable they feel on their bikes, the more they will enjoy cycling.
“The Big Pedal campaign is a fantastic way for kids to cycle together whilst learning about the rules of the road in a fun, engaging way. I hope this year as many schools as possible will take part in the UK’s largest school cycling and scooting event.”
The proportion of children walking and cycling to school has been declining in England since 1995, with the number being driven to primary school increasing each year – as many as 1 in 4 cars on the road during the morning peak are on the school run. The Big Pedal challenge aims to increase the levels of cycling across the UK.
The Big Pedal 2017 is open to individual classes as well as whole schools, with hundreds of thousands of pupils expected to take part.
For more information visit www.bigpedal.org.uk.
