The Sustrans Big Pedal 2014

Between 3rd and the 14th March, Sustrans is challenging people across the UK to leave their cars at home and get on their bikes and scooters for the school run.

Focusing on children, parents and even teachers, the Big Pedal hopes to get hundreds of thousands of commuters away from cars and other motorised vehicles in favour of a much healthier mode of transport.

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

Chief Executive of Sustrans, Malcolm Shepherd said:
“Last year hundreds of thousands of journeys were made by over a thousand schools, and this year the Big Pedal will be even bigger and better.

“The average primary school journey is just 1.5 miles, which is the perfect distance to walk or cycle, so this year we’re aiming to get children in 2,000 schools to make over one million journeys by bike and scooter over 10 school days.”

Currently, just 2% of school children currently cycle to school in the UK, as opposed to an estimated 60% in China, 50% in the Netherlands and 40% in Denmark. But with such a short commute to most primary schools, it is hoped that the Big Pedal can help grow the popularity of two-wheeled transport for the UK’s school run.

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