BMX show rewards Big Pedal success

After excelling in this year’s Big Pedal competition, two local primary schools have been treated to a high-flying BMX skills show!

Tricksters Fusion Extreme - led by BMX star Matti Hemmings - skidded into Oldcastle Primary School and Garth Primary School last week to perform an action-packed series of stunts as a reward for both schools doing so well in the contest which challenges families to travel to school in an active way.

An impressive 68 per cent Oldcastle Primary School’s 445 pupils showed their support by walking, scooting or cycling the daily school run during the competition which took place over a two week period in April.

Their efforts propelled the school to 8^th place in Wales in the larger primary school category, while Garth placed 13^th out of 81 Welsh schools in the small school category.

In total, 21 Bridgend County Borough schools signed up for the annual challenge, which is organised by Sustrans.

With parents encouraged to leave their cars at home, local children made a combined 31,320 active journeys during the challenge. Two thirds of those were on foot, while there were nearly 8,000 scooter journeys and 4,000 cycling journeys.

Thanks to families swapping four wheels for two, it is estimated that participating parents in Bridgend County Borough saved a collective £22,189 on fuel!

It’s always encouraging to see such local support for the annual Big Pedal challenge. An active and healthy school run not only helps children to keep fit, energising them for a busy school day, but it is also great for the environment.

Councillor Charles Smith, Bridgend County Borough Council’s Cabinet member for Education and Regeneration

Visit the Big Pedal website to find out more.