YOUNGSTERS CHOOSING TO WALK OR WHEEL TO SCHOOL

A GROWING number of children are opting to walk and wheel to school in Hull, following the launch of WOW the walk to school challenge from UK charity Living Streets.

- By DEBORAH HALL

Now even more schools across the city can take part in the initiative, thanks to further funding from Active Travel England.

WOW sees pupils record how they get to school using the interactive WOW Travel Tracker, with those who walk, wheel, cycle, scoot or “Park and Stride” being awarded a monthly WOW badge.

Since launching at Chiltern Primary School during International Walk to School Month, last October, a further ten schools in Hull have signed up to the challenge, including Broadacre Primary, Buckingham Primary Academy, Neasden Primary, Newington Academy, Southcoates Primary Academy, Stepney Primary, Thorepark Academy, Mountbatten Primary and Bricknell Primary.

Between October 2024 and April 2025, 185,000 journeys were logged by pupils taking part, which saw a 33 per cent increase in active travel and a 33 per cent rise in walking rates.

May is Living Streets’ National Walking Month and includes Walk to School Week, which runs from May 19 to 23.