Take part in the 2019 Big Pedal

     

The Big Pedal 2019 is the UK’s largest cycling, walking and scooting challenge for schools. Signing up is a great way to get actively involved in the Coventry and Warwickshire Year of Wellbeing.

Organised by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, the competition will run from Monday 25 March to Friday 5 April, and will encourage young people from across the UK to travel by bike, foot or scooter for their journey to and from school. Primary, secondary and special schools will compete with one another to make the most journeys. The competition is completely free to enter!

In 2018, 82% of Big Pedal schools surveyed said pupils continued to travel actively to school following the competition.

Dozens of schools across the UK will register for the first time to close the road outside the school gates to motor vehicles. This is to limit the volume of traffic and help reduce air pollution while creating an environment in which cycling and walking are safe, convenient and enjoyable. New research shows 40% of our children are breathing toxic air at school, leaving them at an increased risk of developing lifelong conditions including asthma. Walking and cycling can play a key role in improving air quality outside the school gates while helping to boost children’s activity levels. It's also a great way to take part in Warwickshire's push to support active travel.

The theme of this year’s Big Pedal is ‘Travelling around the body’, with pupils tracking their progress on a wall chart, learning about the human body and how active travel benefits their health as they go. 

The Big Pedal 2019 is open to individual classes as well as whole schools, with hundreds of thousands of pupils expected to take part. For schools unable to take part in the main challenge there is also a one-day version, which can include cycling, walking and scooting activities during the school day as well as on the journey to school.

Schools and classes will be entered into a daily prize draw for rewards, including scooters, if more than 15% of the school cohort cycle, walk or scoot on each day of the challenge.

For more information check out the Big Pedal 2019 website. In the 'Resources' section you'll find a handy powerpoint for introducing this in school and some top tips on making it a success if you decide to register!