94,000 bike journeys completed as Farnham Common Junior win national bike race around the world
Farnham Common Junior beat 122 schools in the Sustrans virtual bike race around the world, to win the first prize of £1000. Throughout March, pupils, parents and teachers from 123 schools across Britain have taken to their bikes in a bid to complete and win the 46,000 mile virtual race around the world. The race was organized by Bike It officers from the sustainable transport charity, Sustrans. Bike It is one of the UK's leading projects that encourages children and young people to choose two wheels instead of four for the journey to school.
Over the course of the 4 week race, pupils completed a staggering 94,000 bike journeys to school, with Farnham Common Junior winning the national competition by completing the race in just 2 weeks. The virtual race was inspired by cycling adventurer Alastair Humphreys who spent four years cycling 46,000 miles around the world.
Bike It Officer at Farnham Common Junior, Clare Robinson said: "The virtual race around the world has been a massive success this year. It is great that so many schools have taken part. The children have loved every minute of it and they have seen how easy it is to cycle to school. I would like to congratulate all the schools that took part, it has been a truly magnificent effort and hope future virtual races will be even bigger.
"It is vital that we give young people in communities across the country the opportunity to travel in ways, which are healthy, sustainable and fun. Cycling to school has so many benefits for pupils such as improved health, confidence and concentration as well as the obvious benefits for the environment in which they will grow up in."
The Bike It project works with over 400 schools and 89,000 children and young people across England and Wales. It works directly with pupils, parents and staff to help them overcome whatever it is that is preventing them from cycling to school - by organizing cycle training, helping to install new bike sheds, contributing to classroom work and providing information about safe routes to schools. Participating schools across England have seen levels of cycling treble within a year- bucking the trend in declining numbers of children cycling to school.
Bike It is a nationwide scheme, managed by sustainable transport charity Sustrans. Nationally the project is funded by Cycling England, and the cycle industry through the Bike Hub, locally Bike It is supported by the Big Lottery Fund and Slough Borough Council and Buckinghamshire Borough Council.
Staff, parents and teachers who are interested in promoting cycling and walking in their school are encouraged to call the Sustrans School Travel Team on 0117 915 0100 for free information and advice.
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Farnham Common Junior win national bike race
