World record breaking cycling champion Mark Beaumont launched the Big Pedal, which got thousands of children cycling to school
 
A Bradford school is a regional winner in Yorkshire and the Humber for the annual Sustrans Big Pedal, the UK’s largest competition for cycling and scooting to school, while results show that the 10-day competition also helped impact air pollution and traffic congestion in the city. 
 
Bradford Burley Woodhead C of E Primary School won Yorkshire’s small primary school category, with a 77.01% daily average score of children cycling, scooting and walking to school. According to Sustrans figures released this week 13 Bradford schools participated in the Big Pedal and children made 11,168 journeys by bike or scooter in the city during the event, which ran from 23 April-4 May. 
 
Travelling by bike or scooter meant children prevented release of an estimated 115.3 kilograms of nitrogen oxide (NOx) in Yorkshire and reduced traffic congestion around the school run. 
 
Local Police Community Support Officer Ben Leahy was impressed by the impact of the Big Pedal on traffic congestion near Parkwood school. “In my 6 years doing this job it’s the first time I’ve seen a ‘ride to school’ have such an impact to incoming traffic to the school,” He said.
“It was nice to see all the children in such high spirits as they had a little race with friends on the way to school, even if the parents chasing after them disagreed.”
 
Sustrans also praised Parkwood school in Bradford for being the biggest improver in the city, with an increase of 12.84% participation in the Big Pedal compared to last year, while first timer Reevy Hill was singled out for being a first timer with over 40% participation. 
 
 
Over half a million children across the UK cycled or walked to school during the Big Pedal, preventing release of an estimated 1179 kilograms of nitrogen oxide and helping to reduce traffic congestion around participating schools. Currently more than 2,000 schools and nurseries are near to roads with damaging levels of motor emissions . 
 
Cycling and walking can play a vital role in reducing pollution from nitrogen oxide (NOx) and particulate matter which are primarily produced by motor vehicles. 
 
To help tackle air pollution, Sustrans is calling on the UK Government and local authorities to invest in cycling and walking infrastructure and further training and engagement programmes which will enable more young people to travel actively to school every day. 
 
Rosslyn Colderley, Regional Director for Sustrans in the North of England said: “We’re delighted that so many schools in Bradford took part in this year’s Big Pedal. Events like this demonstrate to parents and children just how easy it is to leave their car at home and walk, cycle or scoot to school instead. 
 
“We hope that everyone who participated will continue to travel actively in the morning and afternoon. This will play a huge role in improving air quality and will protect future generations for years to come.
 
“To help clean up our air, the UK Government needs to show leadership by helping local authorities fund and deliver better cycling and walking infrastructure, so that every child is able to travel on foot or by bike to school in safety and with confidence.”
Organised by Sustrans, and sponsored by Micro Scooters and Tonik, the Big Pedal is the largest inter-school competition of its kind in the UK.
 
Sustrans works with 16 schools in Bradford, funded by Bradford Council Public Health.
For more information and a list of the all UK winners visit
 
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