Derby schools encouraged to sign up to Big Pedal challenge

Published: 12 February 2020

This April sees the 10th anniversary of the Sustrans Big Pedal, and Cycle Derby and Derby County Community Trust have teamed up with European Mountain Bike Champion Danny Butler in a bid to get all 64 primary and junior Derby schools to take part, and make Derby the most active city in the country.

Organised by the walking and cycling charity Sustrans, the Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling, walking and scooting challenge inspiring pupils, staff and parents to choose ‘human power’ for their journey to and from school.

This year the challenge will run from 22nd April to 5th May and see schools across the country compete to make and record the most active journeys, for a chance to win prizes.

In 2018, only two Derby schools participated, however thanks to a campaign by Cycle Derby, which saw five school road closures and a visit for every school from world record holder Leigh Timmis, an amazing 32 schools participated in 2019. This resulted in over 37,000 active trips being made on foot, bike, scooter, skate or pogo stick. Children, parents and teachers together travelled the equivalent of more than seven times around the world, eliminating 74,000 car journeys, and saving over £26,000 in petrol. One of the city’s schools even made the national top ten.

This year Cycle Derby and Derby County Community Trust have joined forces once again to support the Big Pedal, and have set the bold ambition of Derby being the very first UK city to see all schools sign up.

As an incentive for schools, Cycle Derby have teamed up with European Champion Danny Butler and are really excited to be offering a free trial bike stunt show for the first 40 schools that sign up! All other schools will receive free Balance or Learn to Ride sessions for their reception or year one class.

Councillor Matthew Holmes, Deputy Leader of the Council and Cabinet Member for Regeneration, Transportation and Planning said:

We want to encourage all 64 primary and junior schools to take part, which would make Derby the first city in the country with 100% participation! I’m especially keen to promote cycling to schools as this promotes a healthy lifestyle from a young age, reduces car journeys and helps us to deliver on our Clean Air commitment in Derby

Children, Education, Events, Health, Leisure, Transport, Young people