PUPILS at St Mary’s School in Broughton Gifford have been taking part in The Big Pedal 2014.
The national cycling competition took part over two weeks from the 3rd-14th March and aims to increase the numbers of pupils actively travelling to school by bike and scooter.
On Friday Sustrans, who sponsor the event, announced that throughout the country over 1million journeys had been made by participating schools!
St Mary’s primary pupils did their bit, with approximately 40% of the school travelling by bike or scooter each day. The school’s Bike It Crew, responsible for promoting cycling and scooting to school, were so amazed at the level of participation that they organised a 100% day event for the last day of The Big Pedal. They aimed for 100% of pupils to come to school actively, by walking, cycling or scooting and leaving the car at home for the day.
“It was amazing, there were 43 bikes and scooters in the car park even though it was a foggy day,” said Ollie from the Bike It Crew. The Crew was proud of the efforts of everyone and overall only 9 pupils came to school by car, with an astonishing 86% coming to school actively.
Tamsin Daddow, School Bike It Champion said, “I am so proud of The Bike It Crew for organising the Big Pedal in school and having the idea of the 100% day.
“They are so enthusiastic about children cycling and scooting to school safely and have organised many successful events. They have even written to our local MP Duncan Hames about their concerns of drivers speeding in the village and how that impacts upon children’s journeys to and fro school. As a result, he came into school and talked to them about the issue.
“Friday 100% day was fantastic – there were even free car parking spaces outside the school on Friday morning! I’m hoping we can keep up the momentum and hold it as a termly event.”
The results of the Big Pedal will be announced this week. As it goes to press St Mary’s is currently 5th in the South West in the small schools category. The organisers say, “Well done St Mary’s and an improvement on last year!”
