Timothy Hackworth Primary School is encouraging its pupils to jump on their bikes and scooters for The Big Pedal, 2nd–20th March, a national challenge organised by the charity Sustrans, which aims to get more children active.
Hundreds of thousands of pupils are expected to take part in The Big Pedal 2015, an inter-school competition which challenges children to cycle and scoot to school.
The Big Pedal is now the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge, and is funded by the Bicycle Association on behalf of the cycle industry through its Bike Hub scheme.
Mrs. Slattery, Deputy Head Teacher said, “We’re really excited to be taking part in The Big Pedal. We hope that by encouraging our children to walk, cycle and scoot to school over the next two weeks that we will see a reduction in congestion and pollution around the school gates, and help the children feel healthier and happier.”
Ben Merry, Programme Development Officer at Sustrans said, “The average primary school journey is just 1.8 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 three weeks, it has a lasting effect on the way that the school community travel to school; last year 76% of schools who took part in the Big Pedal said that pupils continued to cycle and scoot to school following the event.”
To find out more about taking part in the Big Pedal go to: www.bigpedal.org.uk.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
