Cornwall Schools Gear Up for 15th Anniversary of the UK’s Largest Active Travel Challenge

Cornwall is set to join in the celebration of the 15th anniversary of the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel, the UK’s largest initiative promoting active travel to school. Scheduled from March 11 to 22, 2024, this challenge invites schools across Cornwall to encourage their students to walk, wheel, scoot, or cycle to school. The initiative aims to inspire pupils to adopt healthier travel habits, contributing to improved air quality in their communities and enhancing environmental awareness.

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a competition where schools tally the number of active journeys made by their students each day, fostering a spirit of participation and environmental stewardship among pupils, parents, and educators alike. Over the past 15 years, the challenge has seen significant participation, with millions of pupils across the UK embracing the call to make their journeys to school more active.

Organised by Sustrans, a charity dedicated to making it easier for people to walk, wheel, and cycle, in partnership with Cornwall Council and supported by Schwalbe Tyres UK, the event is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including SEN/ASN/ALN schools. Participants stand a chance to win daily prizes, with special rewards prepared for Cornwall’s winning schools.

Nick Ratcliffe, Sustrans Project Manager in Cornwall, highlighted the dual benefits of the challenge: promoting fun competition while encouraging sustainable and healthy travel habits. He emphasised the positive impacts on congestion and the environment around schools, urging all Cornwall schools to participate.

The initiative also provides free resources to schools, aimed at educating pupils about the benefits of active travel for their health, their schools, and the planet. Since the challenge started collecting data in 2011, participants have logged 23.9 million miles, equivalent to approximately 200 trips to the moon or over 1,900 journeys around the Earth. This has resulted in saving 12,700 tonnes of CO2 emissions by avoiding 31.7 million car journeys.

Xavier Brice, CEO at Sustrans, praised the challenge for instilling healthy habits in children and contributing to a culture of active travel in the UK. He noted the financial savings for parents and the valuable experience of outdoor activity for children.

The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel is a testament to the collective effort of schools, families, and communities towards a greener, healthier future. As Cornwall schools prepare to join the 2024 challenge, the event promises to continue its legacy of encouraging active travel and environmental consciousness among the UK’s youth.

Register Your School & Join in – Find out more about registering for the Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel 2024