More than 300 pupils at Ballakermeen High School will be taking part in an initiative designed to promote walking and cycling to school from March 9 to 13.

As part of it, the children will investigate how the area around the Douglas school could be made safer, greener and further encourage active travel to and from their school.

Sustrans, which is promoting ’active travel’ on behalf of the government, has worked with Ballakermeen to coordinate a week of activities.

It will include healthy breakfasts for all pupils who actively travel to school during the week, bike maintenance classes and lessons in sustainable travel.

Active travel is being promoted to cut carbon emissions because fewer journeys would be made by car. It might also cut congestion.

Infrastructure Minister Ray Harmer MHK said: ’Initiatives that promote low carbon travel alternatives will go a long way to help achieve the island’s goal of a net zero emission future. It will also bring improvements to personal health and wellbeing, increased air quality and reduced congestion in school areas.

skills

’Pupils will learn some valuable skills like repairing a punctured tyre and general bike maintenance. They will also be encouraged to think about greener alternatives and the environment around them.

’It is pleasing to see schools embrace the active travel mentality and help us to imagine an island where cycling and walking are a realistic choice for people of all ages and abilities.’

Active travel is defined as walking or cycling (including the use of electric bicycles) as an alternative to motorised transport (cars, buses, motorcycles etc) for the purpose of making everyday journeys.

The active travel strategy seeks to increase the number of people using active forms of travel on a regular basis such as walking and cycling to work or school.

Anagh Coar School, St Mary’s School, Manor Park and Henry Bloom Noble are also involved in initiatives to promote active travel.

These include increasing the number of areas to store bikes and scooters and Wheelie Wednesdays, a weekly reward of a free healthy breakfasts for actively travelling pupils.