High school pupils get on their bikes
LOCHABER High School is encouraging children, teachers and parents to jump on their bikes for the Sustrans Big Pedal 2018, a UK-wide cycling event for young people, backed by world record-breaking cyclist Mark Beaumont.
Sustrans Big Pedal 2018, which runs until Friday May 4, is already under way and has seen pupils, parents and teachers across the country leave their cars at home and get on their bikes for their journeys to and from school.
The Big Pedal is also being well-supported by Fort William businesses. Off Beat Bikes offered a free bike check-up on Sunday for pupils to get their bikes ready before the challenge started on Monday. Other businesses have donated daily prizes and Nevis Cycles will be donating a new bike, the winner of which will be drawn out of a hat at the end of the challenge.
During the 10 days, participating primary and secondary schools will compete with one another to make the most journeys by bike or scooter.
Yvonne Clark, department head of physical education at Lochaber High School, said: ‘We’re really excited to be taking part in the Sustrans Big Pedal again this year. We hope that by encouraging our children to walk and cycle to school, we will be helping pupils feel healthier and happier. Many of the teachers got involved last year too, so we are hoping to beat our numbers and get even more people on bikes.’
Endurance cyclist Mark Beaumont, who holds the Guinness World Record for cycling around the world in 78 days, is backing the Big Pedal.
He said: ‘Encouraging young people to cycle and scoot from an early age not only boosts physical and mental health, it also helps build good habits for independent and active travel into teenage and adult life.’