Almost two thirds of York’s primary schools will take part in Walk to School Week 2020, which runs from 5 to 9 October during International Walk to School Month.

The annual awareness-raising event aims to encourage children and their families to walk, cycle or scoot to and from school, rather than travelling by car.

Locally, around 9,700 students from 31 different schools will get involved. City of York Council’s iTravel team will present the Jack Archer Award to the school with the highest proportion of its students walking, cycling or scooting throughout the week, as well as cash to spend on sports equipment. The Jack Archer Award is now in its seventeenth year and Age UK has supported the competition since it was first launched as part of its intergenerational work to encourage children to be more active.

Councillor Andy D’Agorne, the council’s Executive Member for Transport, said:

“It’s fantastic to see so many local schools getting involved in Walk to School Week again this year and competing for the Jack Archer Award.

“The council is committed to supporting residents to get around sustainably and it’s important that children are encouraged to adopt these healthy habits from an early age so that they make great lifestyle choices as they grow up. In addition to the health and wellbeing benefits for the children themselves, walking, cycling or scooting benefits everyone by reducing traffic congestion and emissions, and improving air quality.

"Keep an eye out for our Kick The Habit campaign, which encourages car users to resist leaving their engine running whilst stationary. With reports of over 30,000 deaths a year nationally being linked to air pollution, every positive step we can each take to improve local air quality can save lives."

 

Cllr Ian Cuthbertson, Executive Member for Children, Young People and Education, said:

"Walking or cycling to school is the easiest way to support your child in getting their 60 minutes of recommended daily exercise; it also helps them concentrate better on learning once they’ve got to school.

"As we all continue to do our bit to improve our health and protect ourselves from Coronavirus, every car journey that’s missed out or shortened can make a real difference to local air quality - this in turn improves our respiratory health, which we all know is really important in fighting colds and flu as well as Coronavirus.

"More advice on getting to school safely and actively can be found in September's Parents' newsletterDownload on the council's website. "


Residents of all ages can find out more about sustainable travel options by visiting www.itravelyork.info