- Categories:
- Special Interest
- Tags:
- ActivitiesChildrenHealth
- Where:
- United Kingdom
- Date change rule:
- Every March 21
- Holiday emoji:
- 🚴
The Big Walk and Wheel inspires active travel across the U.K. every March 21 to April 1. This two-week inter-school competition encourages students, parents, and teachers to walk, scoot, or cycle to school. Join the movement to boost health, reduce carbon footprints, and foster sustainable habits.
Want to sponsor The Big Walk and Wheel? Learn how
History of The Big Walk and Wheel
Buying your first bicycle and learning to ride it is a rite of passage for nearly all of us. Despite the bruises and scrapes from falling off, many people have fond memories of learning to ride a bicycle or pumping a scooter down the street and racing friends up and down steep slopes.
In today’s hectic world, bicycling lets us exercise our muscles, reduces fuel consumption, and is a popular alternative to driving a car. Bicycling is a very constructive activity. It’s beneficial for our physical and mental health, as well as the economy and the environment because it provides a simple and sustainable mode of transportation. Sponsored by UK cycling charity Sustrans, The Big Walk and Wheel celebrates the exhilaration associated with cycling, whether on a simple two-wheeler, a mountain bike, or one with training wheels. It also recognizes the bicycle’s durability and longevity. The Big Walk and Wheel takes place over two weeks (10 school days) each year, and there are prizes galore for those who participate. The challenge aims to inspire and empower kids, teachers, and parents to get on two wheels when they make the daily trip to school.
The challenge is open to individual classes and schools. Every day schools compete to see who can record the most students, faculty, and parents cycling, walking, using a wheelchair, or scooting to school while learning the benefits of active travel along the way. The best five days any school records will decide their ultimate position, but they can log journeys on all 10 days if they choose. There are daily prizes up for grabs, including school travel equipment and accessories.
The Big Walk and Wheel timeline
Karl von Drais de Sauerbrun invents the scooter in Germany.
Harry John Lawson invents a rear-chain-drive bicycle called the ‘bicyclette' in England.
The popularity of bicycles in the U.S. starts to decline.
Joseph F. Merkel and Arthur Hugo Cecil Gibson invent the motorized Scooter (Autoped).
The Big Walk and Wheel FAQs
When is The Big Walk and Wheel?
In 2027, The Big Walk and Wheel takes place from Sunday, March 21, through Thursday, April 1, encouraging children and families to walk, scoot, or cycle.
How many schools participate in The Big Walk and Wheel?
Each year, the event sees significant engagement, often involving more than 1,500 schools and hundreds of thousands of pupils across the United Kingdom. It’s a key initiative for promoting sustainable travel habits.
What are the benefits of participating in The Big Walk and Wheel?
The event promotes healthier lifestyles by encouraging daily physical activity, enhances road safety awareness, and contributes to environmental sustainability by reducing car journeys. Schools often report increased pupil concentration and punctuality.
What was The Big Walk and Wheel previously known as?
Originally launched as ‘The Big Pedal,’ the event rebranded to ‘The Big Walk and Wheel’ to better represent its expanded scope, encouraging all forms of human-powered travel for school commutes, not just cycling.
The Big Walk and Wheel Activities
Walk, cycle, scoot
Join in the activities by getting your bike or scooter out. Many communities have designated bike lanes where you can ride at your own pace and comfort.
Buy a bicycle or scooter
It’s never too late to learn how to ride a bicycle or scooter. Take the bold step and get yourself some new wheels; there’s a whole world out there to discover.
Spread the word
The Big Walk and Wheel is gaining traction among students and teachers. Do your part and spread the word to encourage others to join in.
5 Important Facts About Bicycles
The heaviest bicycle
The early precursor of the bicycle weighed a staggering 50 pounds.
Jack of all trades
A blacksmith named Kirkpatrick Macmillan in Scotland is widely credited with inventing the first pedal-driven bicycle.
Equilibrium is important
According to a Halfords survey, over 25% of parents noticed an improvement in their child's balance and sense of direction with scooter usage.
They require less storage space
About 15 bicycles can sit comfortably in the space a single car would occupy.
The longest bicycle ever made
The longest tandem bicycle, which was more than 65 feet long and could seat 35 people.
Why We Love The Big Walk and Wheel
It’s an amazing workout
Many people use bicycles as their primary mode of transportation, which means they get a healthy dosage of physical activity as part of their daily routines. The Big Walk and Wheel is your invitation to join them in honor of one of history's finest creations.
It’s great for the environment.
The only power required to walk and ride a bicycle or scooter is the rider's feet (or perhaps peddle power). We get to avoid expelling nasty exhaust gasses that pollute and damage the environment.
It’s a shared activity and passion
Arguably the best part of cycling, scooting, or walking is getting to share the route — and your sense of adventure — with other enthusiasts. The Big Walk and Wheel creates a shared sense of belonging and responsibility among participants.
