26/02/2014 - Permalink

Shrewsbury schools encourage pupils to get active on their school journeys

Related topics: Partner organisations

News from our partners Sustrans

Shrewsbury Bike it Officer Jess Holohan is encouraging pupils at her schools to jump on their bikes and scooters for The Big Pedal, betwen Monday 3 March 2014 and Friday 14 March 2014, a national competition organised by charity Sustrans which aims to get more children active. 

Hundreds of thousands of kids are expected to take part in the Big Pedal 2014, an inter-school competition where schools get points for the more pupils who make journeys by bike or scooter. 

First launched in 2009, the Big Pedal has gained popularity over the past five years and has become the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting competition. 

Research shows that nearly half of all children want to be able to get to school by bike, but only 4% actually do.  The Big Pedal engages children in cycling and scooting to school in a fun way, with the aim that they will continue cycling and scooting after the competition has finished. 

Jess Holohan, Sustrans Bike it Officer for Shrewsbury, said: 

“I can’t wait to get started with the Big Pedal.  We have 11 schools signed up to the competition in Shrewsbury, all competing to win a stunt show performed at their school by Danny Butler from the Extreme Mountain Bike Show.

“It’s free to enter and it’s not too late to sign up to the Big Pedal.  Any schools across Shropshire can enter by registering at http://bigpedal.org.uk/register.  Good luck to everyone.” 

Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans Chief Executive, said:

“The average primary school journey is just 1.5 miles – the perfect distance to walk or cycle.

“We hope the Big Pedal will help thousands of families rediscover the fun and freedom of cycling to school, get fit and save money at the same time. 

“I wish the staff, parents and pupils in Shrewsbury good luck, and look forward to finding out the results.” 

To find out more about the Big Pedal go to: www.bigpedal.org.uk. 

For further information please contact Jess Holohan, Sustrans Bike it Officer, on 07780 002817, jessica.holohan@sustrans.org.uk. 

Further information

  • Sustrans is the charity that’s enabling people to travel by foot, bike or public transport for more of the journeys we make every day.    
  • Sustrans provide free information for schools, parents, pupils, councils and anybody else interested in school travel initiatives.  Visit the website to find out more. 
  • The statistic “Nearly half of all children want to be able to get to school by bike but only 4% do” is based on data collected from schools where Sustrans works.