Frome’s Missing Links is hoping to boost the numbers of pupils walking, scooting or cycling to school with a School Travel Challenge which will take place later this month from 22nd to 26th May.
Frome’s Missing Links won funding for the challenge week from Frome Town Council’s events budget, which was voted on by a panel of Frome people in March.
Pupils at many of Frome’s schools can look forward to Active Traveller’s Breakfasts with pedal-powered smoothies, visits from “Dr Bike” when they can bring in their bike for a “safety check”, a photography and art competition, based on the theme ‘My Journey To School’, Scooter Skills sessions and a mufti day. There will be a special Travel Challenge Cup presented to the school showing the biggest increase in active journeys to school, along with prizes and giveaways for those taking part.
“Our school travel challenge will be a great way to celebrate and reward the kids who are already walking, scooting or cycling to school and hopefully persuade others to give it a try, as well as supporting Frome’s Missing Links,” said Marjory Hatvany, a Frome Missing Links volunteer helping to organise the challenge.
Frome’s Missing Links started in 2010 to campaign for better and safer walking and cycling routes in Frome and better connections to neighbouring towns and villages. Frome’s Missing Links are currently working to complete the missing two miles of cycle path to connect with the Colliers Way cycle path from Great Elm to Radstock. Their aim is to create traffic-free routes which are as level as possible and which will be suitable for all ages and abilities.
According to the national charity Sustrans, the average primary school journey is just 1.5 miles, and yet nationally one in five cars on the road during the morning peak are doing the school run. Teachers find that pupils who walk, scoot and cycle arrive at school more relaxed, alert and ready to start the day than those who travel by car.
If you would like to take part in the challenge but do not attend one of the participating schools, you can email fromemissinglinkevents@gmail.com for more information about how to join in.
