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Active Travel Encourages Healthier Habits For Island Youngsters

Hundreds of Island youngsters have been getting fit and helping the environment by cycling, scooting and walking to and from school.

Children across the Island were asked to keep a record during February of every day they chose to travel actively. 

In total, 810 pupils completed the Active Travel Challenge and nearly 13,000 hours of active travel were recorded over the course of the month.

Prizes were available through a prize draw and every child that took part received a water bottle for their hard work.

More than 300 of these bottles were delivered by People Powered e-cargo bikes, cutting down the van mileage.

One of the top prizes was won by Minari Fernando, of Nine Acres Primary School, Newport, who was over the moon with her new mountain bike.

Ross Edmunds, the council's active travel officer for schools, said:

"Travelling actively to and from school is a real positive step towards improving children’s physical and mental health.

"It also gives children opportunities to practice real life road safety. In short, regular active travel helps children develop positive habits that are useful now and will be in the future."

Cllr Jonathan Bacon, Cabinet member for the environment, said:

"Our Active Travel schemes aim to get all members of the Island's community travelling in active ways that are better for their own health and local air quality, as well as reducing congestion.

"Active travel is better for the planet and all the life that it sustains.”

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