South Yorkshire's Mayor Launches Walk and Wheel Challenge for Schools

[SheffieldForum]

 

South Yorkshire’s Mayor, Oliver Coppard, has introduced an exciting new initiative called the Walk and Wheel Challenge aimed at all schools in the region. This initiative encourages primary school children to walk, wheel, or cycle to school daily, promoting a more active and healthier lifestyle.

Challenge Details

The Walk and Wheel Challenge will take place from 17th to 28th June. Mayor Coppard, alongside triple Olympic Champion and South Yorkshire’s Active Travel Commissioner, Ed Clancy OBE, announced the challenge during a walk to Joseph Locke Primary School in Barnsley on Monday, 20th May. The announcement was part of Walk to School Week, organised by Living Streets.

Promoting Active Travel

The challenge supports Mayor Coppard’s commitment to making South Yorkshire the best place in the country for children to walk, wheel, and cycle. He emphasised the importance of providing freedom and choice in daily travel, especially for school children.

 

“We need to make sure that everyone in South Yorkshire has freedom and choice about how to travel and move, every day. That’s important at every age and stage of life, but nowhere is it more important than with our kids at school,” said Mayor Coppard. “Active travel is central to my vision of a better-connected South Yorkshire, but we simply must create a new generation who see the alternatives to just jumping in the car as an obvious first choice.”

Engaging and Educational Activities

During the two-week challenge, South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority will deliver an activity programme to participating schools. This programme will educate children on the benefits of active travel and make their journeys to school more enjoyable.

 

Additionally, schools taking part in the challenge will have the opportunity to win exciting prizes, including bikes, scooter racks, and a VIP session with Ed Clancy.

Walk to School Week

The Walk and Wheel Challenge coincides with Walk to School Week, an initiative by Living Streets, the UK charity for everyday walking. The campaign, part of National Walking Month each May, encourages families to walk, wheel, cycle, scoot, or ‘Park and Stride’ throughout the week, demonstrating the benefits of small steps towards healthier and happier children and fewer cars outside school gates.

 

Jim Shaw, Project Coordinator (South Yorkshire) for Living Streets, highlighted the advantages of the initiative. “Getting out of the front door in the morning with kids can be hectic, so it’s no surprise that parents say a lack of time stops them walking to school. However, walking the last ten minutes can still provide families with all those health and happiness benefits in the same time that they would have been sitting in traffic. Walk to School Week is the perfect opportunity to give a new routine a try.”

How to Participate

Schools interested in participating in the Walk and Wheel Challenge can find more information and sign up by visiting the Walk and Wheel Challenge page on the South Yorkshire Mayoral Combined Authority website.

 

[ThePilot]

One major obstacle for secondary school pupils has been the increased lack of safe, secure and suitable lockers/cloakrooms for outdoor clothing/coats.

[BigAl1]

On 30/05/2024 at 10:14, ThePilot said:

One major obstacle for secondary school pupils has been the increased lack of safe, secure and suitable lockers/cloakrooms for outdoor clothing/coats.

It says it is aimed at primary school kids.