Get active for the Big Pedal 2021

Cheshire West and Chester Council’s Road Safety team is supporting this year’s Big Pedal challenge between 19 and 30 April 2021.

Organised by Sustrans, the event is open to everyone.

On each day of the challenge schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils, staff and parents cycling, walking, scooting or using a wheelchair to school.

The team hopes as many people as possible get involved and play their part towards a healthier environment for everyone.

Join in for one, five or ten days between 19 and 30 April 2021 to be in with a chance of winning a fabulous prize every day if your school registers to take part.

The Council’s Director of Environment and Communities, Maria Byrne said: “The World Health Organisation recommends cycling and walking to school as a primary way for people to reduce their carbon emissions. At morning peak, one in four cars on the road are on the school run – responsible for generating half a million tonnes of CO2 per year.

“Making the switch to active travel will also help towards our country’s target of becoming carbon neutral by 2050 as part of our commitment to tackle the Climate Emergency.

“We’re encouraging as many people as possible to get out there, become fitter and healthier, and help improve the air quality around our schools too.”

If you live further away from your school and take your children by car the Council’s Road Safety Team recommends parking a little way from the school and walking the last 10 to 15 minutes into school.  This will help reduce congestion and air pollution at the school gates and improve road safety.

If walking or cycling to school, even part of the way is not an option, pupils can still get involved by taking an active travel journey at another time during their day.  Perhaps a family bike ride, walk or scoot when they get home from school.

For more information visit the Sustrans Big Pedal website: www.bigpedal.org.uk.