Kippax pupils put their best foot forward for car free day

Pupils from Kippax North Junior School have been taking part in a day full of activities to promote sustainable travel and road safety.

Parents were encouraged to leave the car at home and either walk, scoot or cycle to school. Those who travelled by a sustainable mode of transport were then treated to a free breakfast.

Throughout the day pupils took part in numerous road safety and sustainable travel activities including cycle and scooter skills sessions, roller bike races, balance bike training, bike fixing, and a road safety quiz.

Pupils and teachers also took part in bike races on the school’s track using their new pool bikes. The overall winner was Ross Catterick from Year 5.

The event, organised by Leeds City Council’s influencing travel behaviour team was arranged to celebrate the school’s participation in the Access to Education Project funded by the Local Sustainable Transport Fund - a partnership between the council and Sustrans, to tackle congestion on some of the major roads into Leeds. The school are also celebrating achieving a Modeshift STARS Silver Award earlier this year for promoting sustainable travel.

Councillor Jonathan Pryor who attended the event and presented the prizes said:

“It was great to see so many children who are really enthusiastic about getting on their bikes and scooters and leaving the car behind. Kippax North is a great example of a school which is actively promoting sustainable travel, active lifestyles and road safety awareness to children and their parents - helping reduce the number of cars on the school run, therefore easing congestion at the school gate.”