Big Walk and Wheel puts spring in step of schoolchildren 

The popular annual event coincides with the longer, brighter Spring days, making a walk, wheel, scoot or cycle to school even more appealing.  

Ms Kimmins said: "Schools play a hugely important role in helping children develop good habits for life and getting them to choose active travel at an early age. This helps them build the confidence and skills required to continue to live healthier lifestyles moving forward.”      

Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel, sponsored by Schwalbe Tyres UK Limited, inspires the entire school community to make active journeys which improve health, wellbeing, air quality and family finances.  

Most children driven to school 

Department for Infrastructure figures show that 50 per cent of all pupils in Northern Ireland live within a one-mile radius of their school, but the majority (65%) are driven each morning and afternoon.  

More people travelling actively for short, everyday journeys – such as to and from school – means less traffic on the roads, easing congestion, reducing pollution and creating safer school neighbourhoods.  

Schools signed up to take part in the Big Walk and Wheel (www.bigwalkandwheel.org.uk) - which runs until April 4, 2025 - can avail of free resources to encourage children to learn about the benefits of active travel for themselves, their school, their neighbourhood and the planet.  

The challenge is free and open to all schools in the UK, with many signed up already taking part in the Active School Travel Programme which Sustrans delivers in Northern Ireland with funding from the Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Department for Infrastructure (DfI).  

Among those taking part locally is Bunscoil Cholmcille in Derry, which can avail of the Big Walk and Wheel resources in Irish. The school has demonstrated great enthusiasm and commitment to promoting active travel. After just one year in the Active School Travel Programme, Bunscoil Cholmcille saw an impressive rise in the number of pupils walking and wheeling to school, increasing from 31% to 51%.   

Bunscoil Cholmcille Principal, Mrs Máire Mhic Lochlainn said: “The Big Walk and Wheel builds on all the skills and information we’ve been accumulating through the Active School Travel programme. It’s great for the children and their families to get out more as spring arrives and experience the joys of an active journey to and from school.  

“We find that this burst of energy in the morning enhances the children’s concentration in class as well as improving their social and communication skills. It brings a lovely sense of community, and we can’t wait to have more pupils than ever take part this year.”   

“Mothaíonn muid go gcuidíonn an ruid fuinnimh seo ar maidin le haird agus éisteacht na bpáistí sa rang chomh maith lena scileanna soisialta agus cumarsáide a fheabhsú. Cuireann sé go mór le pobal na scoile mar go mbíonn seantuismitheoirí agus tuismitheoirí ag glacadh páirte fosta. Tá muid anois ar bís le níos mó páistí agus a dteaghlaigh a mhealladh le páirt a glacadh arís i mbliana.” 

Claire Henderson, Senior Health and Social Wellbeing Improvement Officer at the PHA, said: “The Active School Travel programme offers a fun and interactive way for children to get moving more and incorporate physical activity into their daily routine. 

"It also benefits children’s mental health and wellbeing, and with such a wide range of benefits we’d encourage as many people as possible to incorporate active travel into the school runs. It’s great to see so many schools join the Big Walk and Wheel this year and hopefully more will join up to help show pupils the benefits of getting more active.”

Minister for Infrastructure Liz Kimmins added: "This initiative goes from strength to strength, and I look forward to seeing more schools come on board in 2025 by signing up and encouraging their pupils to walk, wheel or cycle to school.”