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Sustrans, the UK’s walking and cycling charity, is this year celebrating its 15th anniversary of leading the Big Walk and Wheel – the UK’s biggest inter-school active travel challenge.
Taking place from Monday, March 11, to Friday, March 22, the challenge inspires pupils to travel actively to school by competing to make the most journeys by walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.
Since data collection for the challenge began in 2011, 23.9 million miles have been travelled by pupils taking more than 15.9 million active travel journeys to school.
By reducing car journeys to and from school by 31.7 million, an estimated 12,700 tonnes of CO2 were stopped from polluting the air on the school run.
The challenge, in partnership with headline sponsors Schwalbe Tyres UK, focuses on improving air quality in the school neighbourhood, saving money otherwise spent on a car commute, and discovering how these changes benefit the world.
Xavier Brice, CEO at Sustrans, said: “I am proud that together with thousands of partnering schools, and millions of parents and children across the UK we are able to celebrate 15 years of the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel. Together we have saved 12,700 tonnes of CO2 from the nearly 32 million costly cars journeys that would have happened without this challenge, and added smiles to the school run for families across the UK.
“People want to have a choice in how they travel, and 15 years of the Big Walk and Wheel shows that when people are given the opportunity to travel actively – they will take it. Sustrans will continue to work in partnership with others to ensure that every generation of children can choose to have fun walking, wheeling and cycling to school.”
Just under 2.7million active journeys to 1,862 participating schools took place during the 2023 challenge, saving an estimated 1,890 tonnes of CO2 emissions if the journeys logged had otherwise been made by car.
Chris Boardman, national Active Travel commissioner, commented: “The Sustrans Walk and Wheel challenge gives kids and their parents a reason to try travelling differently, to get to school under their own steam and in doing so, they get a taste of what a healthier and greener future can be like.
“In fact, it’s proved so popular for thousands of communities, it continues to go from strength to strength. We want to make it more than an annual event, we want this to become a normal part of every school day for millions, and by the looks of it, so do the kids.”
Recent Big Walk and Wheels have helped parents save around £1.6 million in petrol costs during the fortnight.
Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN/ASN/ALN schools, with prizes to be won every day.
Free resources are available to encourage pupils to help reduce air pollution and learn about the benefits of active travel for themselves, their school, their neighbourhood, and the whole planet.
Tim Ward, marketing manager of Schwalbe UK, added: “In our third year supporting the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel, we are very pleased to be associated with this amazing initiative in its 15th anniversary year. As long-term advocates of using a bicycle as transport, we at Schwalbe know only too well how important the simple thrill travelling by bike is for children.
“Giving them the opportunity to experience the benefits of cycling by simply riding to school, helps to develop an appreciation of sustainable transport that is crucial for the future.
“These values echo our purpose as a company, with our ever-accelerating journey towards increased levels of recycling and sustainable product manufacturing. Here’s to the next 15 years.”
