Active Travel Challenge Winners Revealed

The winners of this year's Active Travel Challenge have been revealed.

Run by the Isle of Wight Council as part of its Junior Travel Ambassador (JTA) road safety scheme, the challenge encourages children to walk, cycle, scooter or skate to and from school.

Youngsters record their daily walking, cycling, scootering and running activities — those who complete at least three weeks of the challenge are entered into a prize draw to win a scooter.

This year's challenge was sponsored by Bailey Street Furniture Group Ltd and the winners were:

• Skyla from St Thomas of Canterbury Catholic Primary School
• Max from Dover Park Primary School
• Hayden from Newport CE Primary School

St Thomas of Canterbury and Newport CE Primary schools were the joint winners in the schools' category, with each receiving a Scooterpod scooter rack as their prize.

Hayden said:

"I feel so excited about using my new scooter! Walking and scooting to school is so important for everyone's energy! It's a great start to my day!"

Skyla added:

"Thank you for the amazing prize, I cannot wait to use my scooter going to school now!"

Lewis Campbell, the council's road safety officer, said:

"Congratulations to all of the prize winners and thank you to the schools who took part in this years’ Active Travel Challenge.

"The challenge will be back next year and will be open to schools taking part in the JTA scheme.

"Also, a massive thank you to our sponsors for supporting the challenge, who offered a free Scooterpod to support our promotion of active travel.”

Around 25 primary schools have now signed up to the JTA scheme.

Junior Travel Ambassadors meet regularly to share ideas and opinions about what they think needs to change to improve road safety for their school, as well as lead assemblies, activities and competitions throughout the academic year.

They also look at ways they can promote sustainable modes of travel within their communities.

For the JTA scheme, the council provides participating schools with assembly presentations, lesson plans, guidance, posters and other resources for free — there is no cost to take part.

Schools can find out more by emailing [email protected]