Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel event is designed to inspire you to make active journeys to school. As a result this will improve the quality of air in your neighbourhood and help you discover how these changes benefit the world. This challenge, which was previously known as the Big Pedal, was started in 2011 as a cycling competition celebrated in schools. It has now grown and includes walking, using a wheelchair, scooting and cycling to school. The event is free for all primary and secondary schools in the UK. In 2022, pupils made a total of 2,096,336 journeys to school! 1,519 schools across the country registered to take part. 1,335 tonnes of carbon dioxide were avoided as a result of the challenge.

The main aim of the event is to encourage you to travel to school actively. This helps your community to be happier and healthier. Active travel is a good way to include physical activity into your daily routine. It also helps reduce congestion and air pollution around schools. There are also mental health benefits from being more active – walking can help prevent and reduce low mood and anxiety.

As well the health benefits from increasing physical activity, you will arrive at school more relaxed and alert. Current physical activity guidelines state young people up to the age of 18 should aim for an average of at least 60 minutes of moderate or vigorous physical activity a day. Did you know that walking and cycling for 150 minutes per week can help reduce the risk of health problems like cancer, type 2 diabetes and heart disease?

To take part in the event, your school needs to register online at https://bigwalkandwheel.org.uk/. There are a variety of free resources available on the website including posters, lesson activities, top tips, an assembly presentation, and a guide explaining how to overcome barriers.

Schools have the choice to enter individual classes or to enter the whole school. You can log all ten days but only the best five days will be used to work out your school’s final position. A Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel certificate will be given to schools that finish at the top of their leaderboards. In addition to the certificates, there are also a variety of prizes up for grabs. Daily prizes are available for schools that will have more than 15% of their pupils taking part in the challenge. Some of the prizes available include hybrid bicycles, micro scooters and cycle and scooter racks.

Have fun, stay safe and for top tips on road safety head to www.think.gov.uk/cycle-safety/