Pupils get a scoot on to Scoot to School

Children from seven Leeds schools battled it out to become the city’s best scooting stars as part of a challenge to promote the popular Scoot to School initiative launched by Leeds City Council last year.

The pupils competed at Colton Primary School to win fantastic new scooter storage for their school, using their scooting skills.

Pupils from Austhorpe Primary School, Colton Primary School, Corpus Christi Primary School, Cross Gates Primary School, Templenewsam Halton Primary School, Whitkirk Primary School and Temple Learning Academy took part in challenging scooter races.

To encourage more children to travel to school by scooter and in recognition that it is becoming increasingly popular with pupils and parents as a healthy, sustainable, safe and fun way of travelling, the council’s Influencing Travel Behaviour team organised this team pursuit challenge. Every pupil worked hard for their school team but Austhorpe Primary School managed to scoot themselves into first place.

Councillor Richard Lewis, executive member for regeneration, transport and planning, said:

“Scooting encourages active travel from an early age and develops skills which will also help with cycling. It’s an ideal form of transport; healthy, environmentally friendly and inexpensive for parents. It also helps to reduce the number of cars on the school run, therefore easing congestion at the school gate.”

Councillor Lisa Mulherin, executive member for children and families, said:

“Getting to school by scooter has become increasingly popular with children, especially those not yet able to cycle. Scooting to and from school contributes towards their recommended hour of physical activity each day, helping them to keep fit and maintain a healthy lifestyle.”

As well as competing against other schools in the scooter races and completing an obstacle relay race the pupils were treated to a display by a Scooter Stunt Display Team from MGP UK.

The MGP team is made up of some of the most influential and talented athletes in their chosen sport and are positive role models and ambassadors for children and young people across the country.

The council’s Influencing Travel Behaviour Team also offered special resource packs to help all Leeds schools promote scooting to school. The packs included stickers, a scooter themed colouring competition and shopping vouchers to use as prizes to encourage pupils to “scoot the route” to school.

Throughout September the council’s Road Safety Team delivered scooter training to 1400 pupils which includes essential road safety skills and shows children how to scoot to school safely.