Join Sustrans Big Pedal!
Niamh Nic Cana Tue 16 Feb 2021
We’re supporting Sustrans Big Pedal, the UK's largest inter-school cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting challenge.
This year's challenge will run from 19 - 30 April 2021. Sustrans Big Pedal is free to enter and there are daily prizes to be won.
On each day of the challenge, schools compete to see who can record the greatest proportion of their pupils, staff and parents cycling, walking, scooting or using a wheelchair to school. Pupils learning remotely can complete a physical activity at home or take another active journey with a family member.
Your school’s best five days will determine your final position, but you can log journeys on all ten days if you wish. For schools unable to take part in the main event we have a one-day challenge, which can include cycling, walking, wheeling and scooting activities during the school day for those attending school.
An active journey to school can help children achieve the 60 minutes of moderate to vigorous physical activity a day recommended by the UK’s Chief Medical Officers. The Department for Education have said encouraging active travel helps “to enable pupils to be physically active while encouraging physical distancing.”
The theme for Sustrans Big Pedal 2021 is amazing journeys. As well as getting active, children will be encouraged to see their local area from a new perspective, learn about the benefits of active travel and discover amazing journeys to school from around the world.
Daily lesson plans and physical activities will be free to download during the challenge, including activities related to Earth Day on 22 April. Options will be available for remote learners.
Sustrans Big Pedal is open to individual classes as well as whole schools. There are fantastic prizes up for grabs on each day of the challenge including equipment and accessories to help schools travel actively to school.
There is also the option to join in on Amazing You Day, a non-uniform day to celebrate the finale of the Big Pedal. Amazing You Day is a great way to involve all pupils in the Big Pedal even if they don’t cycle, walk, scoot or use a wheelchair to get to school. It is also the perfect day to make sure all your journeys are logged to the Big Pedal website. Schools can chose to raise money for Sustrans or their own active travel projects.
Registration is now open. For more information and to register your class or school, visit the www.bigpedal.org.uk.