Pupils, parents and teachers gear up for cycle challenge (From York Press)

Pupils, parents and teachers gear up for the Big Pedal cycle challenge

8:35am Monday 4th March 2013 in News By Haydn Lewis, haydn.lewis@thepress.co.uk

HUNDREDS of York school children got on their bikes dressed as their favourite superhero in a bid to promote pedal power on the school run.

Pupils, parents and teachers across schools in York, North and East Yorkshire are being urged to leave their cars at home and jump on their bikes and scooters for the school run from now until March 20, as part of Sustrans’ Big Pedal competition.

At the launch of the Big Pedal in York, 590 pupils and teachers from Rawcliffe Primary School helped to raise money for Sustrans by cycling to school in fancy dress.

Naomi Wells Smith, Sustrans Bike It Officer for York, said: “Schools across Yorkshire are getting really excited about the Big Pedal this year.

“Many of the teachers used to cycle to school as kids and remember how much they loved it.

“What’s more, with one in five cars on the road during the morning peak being on the school run, encouraging children to walk, cycle and scoot reduces congestion and pollution around the school gates.”

Last year, more than 950 schools took part in the event from all across the Britain. The combined efforts of children totalled 1,140,075 miles, saving about 59,021 gallons of fuel and about £368,484.

The Big Pedal is the UK’s biggest school cycling competition to get kids active. It is organised by Sustrans, the UK’s leading sustainable transport charity and pioneer of the National Cycle Network.

Gary Fort, Clifton with Rawcliffe School Bike It co-ordinator, said: “We’re really excited to be part of the Big Pedal. The superhero day is a fantastic way to raise awareness of the work Sustrans do and to help to encourage more children onto their bikes and scooters at the same time.

“We have some fabulous superheroes here and even the teachers have been airing their capes and extra special superpowers.”

To get your school involved in The Big Pedal go to: http://bigpedal.org.uk