Cycling is good for the environment
Cycling to school is a far more environmentally friendly way to get to school than by car.
There are more and more cars on Britain’s roads every year and this is effecting the environment in a major way. It has been proven that the gases and chemicals released by motor vehicles are a major and growing cause of atmospheric pollution which contributes to global warming. You can play your part in helping to fix this problem and create cleaner air for everyone to breathe by cycling or walking to school instead of being given a lift by your parents/ guardians. If more kids cycled or walked to school this would cut the amount of traffic on Britain’s roads during the morning rush hour by 1/5th !
The average child in Britain lives just 2.7 miles away from school – a distance which could be cycled easily. If you live further away from school and cannot easily walk or cycle, you could ask a parent to drop you off perhaps halfway or a distance away from school that could be more easily cycled. That way you are still doing your bit to help the environment by cutting the CO2 emissions produced by your journey.
Cycling can be an attractive option in terms of reducing individual energy consumption. You can use online calculators that show your eco or carbon footprint. Cycling to school is one way of lowering your score. We like the National Energy Foundation's UK carbon calculator at http://www.nef.org.uk/energyadvice/co2calculator.htm or the one at Learning Teaching Scotland.
Finding out more:
There are many websites that give great advice about cycling. Cycling Scotland would recommend the following.
Eco-Schools Advice and information on environmental issues of concern to schools and pupils, including transport issues.
Safe Routes to Schools – SUSTRANS is a great resource for a wide range of information, including information specific to Scotland
Health Promoting schools Outlines the benefits of integrating cycling to school into everyday school life
WWF Scotland
The world’s largest independant conservation organisation. This site deals with issues from a Scottish perspective and includes information and links on climate change.
