Protecting our children’s health this Walk to School Week
Parents, carers and children across Brighton & Hove are being asked to walk, cycle and scoot their way into class this week as Walk to School Week (14 – 18 June) returns to the city.
It’s an opportunity for people to leave their cars at home for journeys to and from school or, if that’s not possible, parking further away and walking the last 5 minutes of the journey. This helps to reduce congestion and idling outside the school entrance, improving road safety and encouraging and enabling cycling, walking and scooting to school.
Thousands of school children around the city will be taking part once again and 22 of our pre-schools, nursery classes and childminders will also be Walking and Wheeling for Clean Air.
The week again coincides with Clean Air Day on Thursday 17 June, a national campaign to raise awareness of how air pollution affects our health and the environment. This year’s theme is ‘protect our children’s health from air pollution’.
Be rewarded for the school run
For the first time, Walk to School Week also gives people a chance to sign up to our 'Move for Change' challenge through the BetterPoints app.
You earn points for all of your active and sustainable travel in and around the city which can then be redeemed at local shops or businesses as well as high street brands; or donated to a local charity. You can also win prizes through weekly prize draws and earn extra points along certain routes.
There will be extra points up for grabs as part of Clean Air Day activities and throughout Walk to School Week, so be sure to download the app, join the Move for Change campaign and start earning points for your journey.
‘The future of tackling the climate crisis’
Amy Heley, chair of the Environment, Transport and Sustainability committee said: “Walk to School Week is always a great opportunity to travel actively and sustainably and it’s amazing to see so many children, parents and carers taking part again this year.
“It’s so important for children’s health that air is kept clean outside the school gates and that they can get to school safely. I would encourage anyone who can walk, cycle or scoot to school this week to do so.
“Children will be the future of tackling the climate crisis, but they are also determined that action is taken now. Walk to School Week is a great way of showing them that there are steps that we can take immediately to reduce toxic emissions. “
