The 2025 edition of Sustrans’ Big Walk and Wheel takes place from 24 March to 4 April 2025 and inspires children across the country to make active journeys, boosting physical and mental health, improving air quality and discovering how individual actions make a difference.
The challenge, sponsored by Schwalbe Tyres UK Limited, is open to all primary and secondary schools in the UK, including special educational needs, additional support needs and additional learning needs schools. It is free to take part and there are 54daily prizes to be won.
New research1 by Sustrans reveals that while, positively, 62% of children walk, wheel or scoot five or more days a week, more than half (54%) travel by car or van five or more days a week.
Rachel Toms, Director of Urbanism and UK Programmes at Sustrans, says: “People want a choice in how they get around, and the popularity of Sustrans’ Big Walk and Wheel is testament to the many benefits of travelling actively – from improved health and concentration in children to a reduction in congestion and air pollution.
“Our latest research gives us a clear picture: children want to walk and cycle. Sustrans is committed to working with communities to overcome existing travel barriers and the Big Walk and Wheel is a catalyst for
change. It’s so inspiring to see the many thousands of children from schools across the country who participate, and we can’t wait to see this year’s Big Walk and Wheel transform the school run.”
Sustrans’ research also highlights a significant gender gap among children cycling, with only 17% of girls cycling five or more times a week compared to 28% of boys.
The report shows children want to travel more actively and identifies huge potential to improve access to cycling, enabling more girls and boys to cycle at a young age and reap the long-term health, economic and
social benefits.
The Big Walk and Wheel supports children and their families to choose walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling for the journey to school and form habits that can last a lifetime.
National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman says: “The Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel challenge is a fantastic opportunity for kids to give cycling to school a go. We know that young people want to travel more actively and so this challenge has enormous potential for children to form new habits that will stick, meaning we’re building healthier and greener communities for the future.”
