Pupils across Bradford are being encouraged to ‘get on their bikes’ as The Big Pedal competition wheels into the district from Monday.

The national contest aims to get more children active through an inter-school battle with those children making their journey by bike or scooter creating school points. The event is being organised by the charity Sustrans and ten primary schools in Bradford will be involved.

“I’m really excited that so many Bradford schools are going to be taking part in the Big Pedal competition,” said Emily Groves, Sustrans Bike It Officer for Bradford.

The Bradford schools involved are: Burley Oaks Primary; Crossflatts Primary; East Morton Primary; Eastburn Junior & Infant; High Crags Primary; Hill Top C of E Primary; Hothfield Junior; Parkwood Primary; Riddlesden St Mary’s Primary; and Worth Valley Primary.

Established in 2009, The Big Pedal has grown in popularity over the past five years to become the UK’s largest inter-school cycling and scooting competition.

In 2013, a number of Bradford schools took part and Worth Valley Primary in Keighley came out as the winner with more than 25 per cent of their children cycling or scooting to school daily.

Research conducted by Sustrans has shown that almost half of all children want to get to school by bike but, in reality, only four per cent do.

This event will provide them with a fun way to put their desire to cycle or scoot into practice, with the aim of encouraging them to continue once the competition has finished.

Organiser of the event, Sustrans, is a leading UK charity working with communities, policy-makers and partner organisations to enable more people to travel by foot, bike or public transport.

The charity is committed to its vision of doubling the number of local journeys made on foot or by bikes or public transport by 2020. Malcolm Shepherd, Sustrans’ chief executive, said: “We hope The Big Pedal will help thousands of families rediscover the fun and freedom of cycling.

“I wish the staff, parents and pupils in all the schools good luck and look forward to finding out the results!”