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London 2012 gold medallist, Joanna Rowsell Shand, is calling on schools to encourage children to get on their bikes this Spring by signing up to the Big Pedal, which is co-sponsored by the bicycle industry.
Over 1,280 schools, with more than 400,000 pupils, across the UK have so far signed up to the annual inter-school competition which will take place between 18th and 29th April. Run by Sustrans and funded by the Bike Hub levy fund, the Big Pedal sees schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils, staff and parents cycling to school.
Now Joanna Rowsell Shand is urging more schools to sign up to the competition. Taking time out of her training schedule ahead of the Rio 2016 Olympics, she said:
“Cycling is a great way to keep fit and healthy and the Big Pedal is a fantastic way to start commuting by bike.
“It’s brilliant that so many schools have signed up to the Big Pedal. With over a month to go I’m calling on schools around the country to sign up and be part of the UK’s biggest school cycling and scooting event.”
Schools from up and down the UK have signed up, from as far south as Penzance and as far north as the Shetland Islands.
Ben Merry, Senior Project Officer, Primary Education at Sustrans, said: “Joanna was part of those magical few weeks during London 2012 that inspired millions of people to become active. We’re honoured she’s backing the Big Pedal and hope it encourages even more schools to take on the challenge.”
