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Kids around the country have completed 847,725 journeys to and from school by bike, or on foot, clocking up a combined 1,075,047 miles as part of the Big Pedal.
Funded by bike industry levy Bike Hub, this year’s event took place between February 28th and March 20th, with kids from 49 secondary and 927 primary schools taking part. An estimated £358,000 in unnecessary fuel costs has been saved by opting for two wheels as opposed to four.
Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans chief executive said: “It’s a tragedy that so many of our children are denied opportunities to be active, creating serious health problems which worsen as they get older. Cycling and walking are key ingredients for tackling childhood inactivity and obesity, but sadly too many children and their parents don’t feel safe on our roads.
"Local authorities and central government must help improve the health of our children by making walking and cycling the safest, easiest and most enjoyable ways to travel.”
Research shows that children who are physically active are less likely to suffer from a range of diseases as they get older, including coronary heart disease and stroke, many forms of cancer, type 2 diabetes and mental ill-health.
Nearly half of all UK children want to be able to get to school by bike but only four per cent actually do.
Kids and parents are now encouraged to sign up for the next Sustrans’-backed event, the Bike to School Week, which takes place from June 10th to 14th.
