Following an impressive effort and success in this year’s Big Pedal challenge, four Ceredigion schools were rewarded with a visit from Yinka Thomas, a highly acclaimed BMX Artist along with support from world record holder Matti Hemmings.
On Friday, 15 June, Ysgol Gymunedol Rhydypennau, Ysgol Penrhyncoch, Ysgol T Llew Jones and Ysgol Aberteifi received the prize event, funded by Ceredigion County Council after successfully taking part in the Big Pedal challenge; the UKs largest inter-school cycling and scootering challenge which inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. On each day of the challenge, schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of cycling or scootering journeys.
Pupils in Ceredigion are being supported to cycle, scoot and walk to school thanks to Sustrans’ Active Journeys programme which helps schools to increase the number of pupils travelling actively to school through a range of in-school activities and events. Active Journeys is funded by Welsh Government and delivered by Sustrans Cymru.
Sustrans School Officer, Sioned Lewis said, “It’s really exciting to see how enthusiastic the pupils, families and school staff in Ceredigion have been to get more children and young people cycling, walking and scooting to school. I’m thrilled that the schools did so well in the Big Pedal and it’s great that Ceredigion County Council have funded this event as a celebration for all of their efforts.”
Ceredigion County Council has a duty to facilitate and promote active travel and three towns in Ceredigion have been designated as Active Travel areas, namely Aberystwyth, Cardigan and Lampeter.
Councillor Alun Williams, who is the Member Champion for Sustainability said, “I’m delighted to see the participation levels for the Big Pedal across Ceredigion. It’s very encouraging that so many pupils in the county took part in this year’s challenge and I’m sure the numbers will increase further in years to come. Ceredigion County Council’s financial contribution towards the event recognises that the Big Pedal and Sustrans’ Active Journeys programme supports and compliments the Councils’ own Road Safety, Education, Training and Awareness programme to help promote the use of our safe walking and cycling infrastructure.”
For more information on the Big Pedal challenge, visit http://bigpedal.org.uk
19/06/2018