BURLEY and Woodhead Primary school has topped a challenge to get more young people cycling and scooting to school.

The school won Best in Bradford in this year's Big Pedal push, a national initiative organised by cycling charity Sustrans. Over 65 per cent of the school's pupils either cycled or used a scooter to get to school during the two week event.

Within the Bradford district Menston Primary School came second with 41 per cent and Eastburn Junior and Infant School were third with 40 per cent of pupils taking part. A total of 18 Bradford schools took part with over 10,000 cycling and scooting journeys recorded.

Nationally, Burley and Woodhead finished 24th out of over 1,700 schools and in Yorkshire and Humberside they had the second highest percentage of children cycling and scooting to school in the competition.

Big Pedal ran from Monday, March 20 to Friday, March 31, and saw participants across the UK leave their cars at home and get on their bikes and scooters for their journeys to and from school.

Bethany, a Year 6 pupil at Burley and Woodhead Primary School said: “I’ve really enjoyed cycling to school with all my friends, it’s just great!” and Sam, a Year 4 pupil at Burley and Woodhead added: “Doing the Big Pedal has got me back in to scooting, scooting to school is fun.”

Ian Cullen, Sustrans Bradford Schools Officer, said: “There has been much more interest in Big Pedal this year in Bradford. Despite some very poor weather in the first week all Bradford schools have done really well this year with 15 per cent more participation than last year across the district.”

“Bradford’s ambition to be a capital of cycling is another step closer. Next step Tour de Yorkshire and Bradford’s stage 3 depart, the buzz of excitement around cycling is very real.”

This year’s Big Pedal was backed by two times Olympic gold medallist cyclist Joanna Rowsell Shand. One of the best British cyclists of her generation, Joanna has won five world titles across individual and team events and gold medals at the 2012 and 2016 Olympics

She said: “Cycling is great for young people’s health, confidence and independence. The safer and more comfortable they feel on their bikes, the more they will enjoy cycling.

“The Big Pedal campaign is a fantastic way for kids to cycle together whilst learning about the rules of the road in a fun, engaging way.”