Eighteen schools across Shropshire have been awarded a total of £30,000 by Active Travel England to promote active travel options like walking, cycling, and scooting, with up to £1,000 allocated per school.

The funding enables schools to purchase safety equipment, storage solutions, and organize training sessions such as scooter training and bike maintenance workshops.

Notable schools benefiting from this initiative include Grange Primary, St Mary's CE Primary, and Radbrook Primary, which will receive resources like scooters, helmets, and safety shelters.

Rob Wilson, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for active travel, expressed enthusiasm for supporting schools in promoting healthier travel options, emphasizing the health, safety, and environmental benefits.

He highlighted that active travel reduces road traffic near schools and encourages physical activity among children.

This local effort aligns with a broader national push to encourage active travel, aiming to create safer, more accessible walking and cycling options that benefit public health and the environment.

At the Active City Conference in York, 12 regional mayors committed to developing a national active travel network, emphasizing safety and ease of travel for children.

This initiative supports a wider government and public health effort to establish a safer, more connected active travel infrastructure across the country.

The funds will be used for purchasing equipment like balance bikes, scooters, helmets, and high-visibility clothing, as well as organizing safety and maintenance training sessions.

The scheme is part of a successful ongoing program, with 24 schools participating in 2024, and this year marks the second consecutive year Shropshire has received funding for similar initiatives.

The program, led by Shropshire Council and funded by Active Travel England, aims to promote healthier, safer school commutes and is part of a national effort to improve active travel options.

Public health experts, including Professor Sir Chris Whitty, have emphasized the importance of accessible and safe walking and cycling options to improve physical activity levels and overall health in England.