Dorset school children reduced local carbon dioxide emissions by 40 tonnes in just two weeks.

Pupils reduced local air pollution by 88 kilogrammes of dangerous nitrogen oxide and 40 tonnes of carbon dioxide by walking, biking and scooting to school, instead of travelling by car.

This was down to 34 schools in Dorset taking part in Sustrans’ annual Big Pedal Challenge.

Sustrans is a cycling and walking charity and their UK-wide Big Pedal challenge aims to get more young people cycling, walking and scooting to school. It is the largest competition of its kind., with participants across the UK leaving their cars at home to get on their bikes, feet and scooters for their journeys to and from school.

During the 10 days of the challenge, participating primary and secondary schools compete with one another to make the most journeys by bike, foot or scooter.

It comes hard on the heels of two important new pieces of research.

The Prince Of Wales School in Dorchester won special recognition from Sustrans for its Big Pedal achievements. A massive 83 per cent of its pupils walked, cycled or scooted to school over the two weeks – the highest percentage in Dorset.

Pupils enjoyed a presentation with Sustrans to celebrate their achievements.

Headteacher Gary Spracklen said: “This year’s Big Pedal saw the highest number of pupils and parents take part since we first launched the competition back in 2010. This is a fantastic achievement, which tells us that children want to cycle, scoot and walk to school.

“It also demonstrates there’s a growing public awareness of the effects of motor emissions and the role more walking and cycling can play in reducing them.But to make it easier for parents and pupils to continue travel by bike and foot, the roads outside schools need to feel safe. One of the best ways to do this is by making streets outside the school gates car free.”

Sustrans’ regional director for the south, James Cleeton, said: “The children, families and schools of Dorset have shown how individuals can dramatically improve the world around them, by replacing cars with human power for just part of the daily routine.

“These children haven’t just prevented the emission of dangerous, invisible pollutants around their schools, but they’ve improved their mental and physical health, giving all of them a better start to the school day.”

Visit bigpedal.org.uk