The Big Pedal is the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting challenge that inspires pupils, staff and parents to choose two wheels for their journey to school. Powered by Sustrans and funded by the Bike Hub, the 2017 challenge will run from 20 to 31 March and is open to individual classes as well as whole schools. On each day of the challenge schools compete to see who can record the greatest number of pupils, staff and parents cycling or scooting to school. A school’s best five days will determine their final position, but they can log journeys on all ten days if they wish. For schools unable to take part in the main challenge we also have a one-day version, which can include cycling and scooting activities in the school day as well as on the journey to school. To celebrate the finale of the challenge there is also the option to join our superhero fundraising day. All schools will be entered into daily prize draws for rewards including bike and scooter stunt shows, equipment and storage if over 15% of your school cycle or scoot on each day of the challenge. Prize details will be announced on The Big Pedal website.

Get Going, a series of practical information sheets and videos to help you develop bike and scooter skills. This also includes how to mend a puncture, cycling in winter and learning to ride without stabilisers in just 30 minutes.

‘Increasing active travel to school’ is a step-by-step guide to increase walking, cycling and scooting on the school journey. Designed for teachers, parents and governors, the guide contains a suggested programme and top tips for events, activities and lessons to inspire more journeys by foot, bike or scooter. The stages include Getting Started, Raising Awareness, Empowerment and Action. The programme is designed to be delivered over six weeks (though you can take longer if you wish) culminating in a celebratory week of action – a perfect build up to the Big Shift challenge, a Bike to School Week, or even our annual Big Pedal event.

Moving Up is a guide for those working with 11- to 18-year-olds, setting out how best to promote active travel at secondary schools, colleges and in the community. It includes best practice guidance and case studies of activities and methods, proven to enthuse, engage and inspire young people to walk and cycle as everyday travel choices. Using our officers’ experience in working with 250 secondary schools and colleges across the UK, this is a comprehensive free resource for teachers, community and youth workers, and professionals in education and transport.

Our information sheets provide a mix of practical advice, best practice, facts and figures to enable teachers, active travel champions and professionals to confidently promote active and sustainable transport at schools and colleges.

Five activities designed to be delivered over five days, showcasing some of the brilliant resources Sustrans has produced for teachers and young people. Ideal for making any week Walk, Scoot or Bike to School Week, they can be delivered to a wide range of ages by tailoring the level of detail and vocabulary used. The activities are selected to take your pupils on a journey, exploring the benefits of travelling by foot, bike or scooter, understanding how they can make a change and ultimately be inspired to take practical actions. The five activities can be run on consecutive days or spaced apart, but are designed to be delivered in order.

Sustrans’ Big Shift is a free-to-access online challenge designed to motivate the school community to travel more actively. The challenge sets the school individual targets based on how pupils currently travel to school, helping them make a Small Step, Big Stride or Giant Leap to increasing active travel. Key features • Open to all schools in the UK free of charge • Available all year round – schools can choose any five days to take the challenge • Take part either as a whole school, as individual classes or in year groups • Option for schools to repeat the challenge to improve on their achievements For more information, visit bigshift.sustrans.org.uk