Pupils get a scoot on to take part in Scoot to School Week

Children from six Leeds schools will be battling it out to become the city’s best scooting stars as part of a challenge to help launch Scoot to School Week next week.

In a new initiative by Leeds City Council, pupils from across the city will be grabbing their scooters and competing to win a special prize for their school, using their scooting skills.

Media opportunity:

When: Thursday 17 September 2015 at 11.30am

Where: Ireland Wood Primary school, Raynel Gardens, LS16 6BW

What: Pupils from the seven schools, the Lord Mayor of Leeds Cllr Judith Chapman and Cllr Jane Dowson will be available for photographs and interviews as they launch Scoot to School Week.

To launch the new initiative, pupils from Ireland Wood Primary School, Bramhope Primary School, Cookridge Holy Name Catholic Primary School, Cookridge Holy Trinity C of E Primary School, Iveson Primary School and Rawdon Littlemoor Primary School will take part in exciting but challenging scooter races and activities.

Twelve pupils from each school, a girl and boy from Year 1 to Year 6, will compete against each other to win fantastic new scooter storage for their school.

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 have organised this challenge and the new ‘Scoot to School’ week.

On arrival at Ireland Wood Primary School the pupils will be welcomed by the Lord Mayor of Leeds, Councillor Judith Chapman and will be 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.

Lord Mayor of Leeds Judith Chapman said:

“This challenge is a fantastic way for these children to demonstrate their scooter-skills whilst having a lot of fun. I’m sure they will demonstrate why more children should ride their scooters to school.”

Councillor Jane Dowson, lead member for children’s services 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.

“It can be especially effective with nursery level children who have not yet started cycling to school as it’s faster than walking and fun. It’s an ideal form of transport; healthy, environmentally friendly and inexpensive for parents.”

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 such as steering, stopping and balancing. As well as being fun, it encourages children to exercise.

“It also helps to reduce the number of cars on the school run, therefore easing congestion at the school gate.”

Other schools in Leeds can participate in Scoot to School September by visiting www.scooterpods.co.uk/leedscomp and entering a competition to support the new Scoot to School Week initiative.