STUDENTS and teachers who geared up for a nationwide cycling challenge have been rewarded for their pedal-powered achievements.
A team from Bede Academy, Blyth, registered for the Big Pedal, a national inter-school competition that encourages children, teachers and parents to cycle to school.
The challenge organised by Sustrans, the sustainable transport charity, offered prizes to students and teachers who signed up to get to school on two wheels.
Sustrans officer Richard Rothwell said: “The Big Pedal is one of a number of cycling initiatives that we have been working on with pupils at Bede Academy.
“The event helps encourage them to look at leading healthier and more active lives by challenging them to cycle or scoot on their journey to school for ten days.
“There are also loads of spin-offs from enjoying a bike ride including reduced numbers of vehicles at the school gates, a reduction in environmental pollution and getting into the routine of enjoying exercise.”
This year’s Sustrans’s nationwide annual Big Pedal challenge has seen almost half a million separate journeys made by pupils, parents and teachers across Britain, cycling a collective distance of over three-and-a-half-million miles.
Bede students Roma Harm, 15, Christopher Johnson, 12, and Adam Graham, 12, along with the academy’s head of rugby Mr Andrew Sutherland each received £50 in vouchers from CJ Performance Cycling, Cramlington, after their names were drawn out of a hat from all participating students and staff.
Director of sport at Bede Academy Simon McAree said: “This is the third year that we have taken part in The Big Pedal. Cycling is a great way to help develop a healthy lifestyle and form good exercise habits for the future.
“It fits nicely into the day and is really enjoyable for students who may not be particularly active or keen on team sports.”
Year 7 student Adam Graham, 12, of Blyth, added: “I cycle a mile into school every day, even when it’s raining.
“The Big Pedal was a really good way of getting people who would normally come to school by car to get on their bikes and exercise as well as helping to save the environment.
“I was really pleased to get a voucher and think I’ll put it towards getting a new bike.”