PUPILS across Reigate and Banstead have been praised for making thousands of journeys to school by bike.
Thirty schools entered the national Big Pedal competition, run by sustainable transport charity Sustrans, which aimed to see how many trips to school could be made by bike or scooter between March 3 and 14.
Warren Mead Junior School, in Roundwood Way, Banstead, has been crowned winner.
The school made more cycle and scooter journeys over two weeks than any other in the area, and came 20th nationally, making 2,122 trips.
It achieved this by rewarding pupils with cycle playtime every day they rode in. PCSOs also visited the school and security coded pupils' bikes.
Head teacher Sandra Cunningham said: "Children, staff and parents thoroughly enjoyed the Big Pedal and a huge number of families cycled to and from school. Everyone in our school community pulled together as we crept up the leader board. We were overjoyed to win.
"As the new head teacher, I felt so proud. We could not have done this without the support of our champions and staff."
Hannah Sims, the local Sustrans Bike It officer, said: "It's been amazing to see the number of journeys our schools have made this year – particularly those who are new to the 'Bike It' project.
"Congratulations to Warren Mead Junior School on a well-deserved win, and I hope that this will see the cycling revolution among our schools continue to grow."
Woodmansterne Primary School, in Banstead, marked their participation in the event by opening a new cycle shelter, with a Bling your Bike competition.
Woodmansterne also created a cycle journey around their school grounds. Every student completed at least one trip – either on their own or on the back of a tandem.
Head teacher Caroline Welch said: "The huge improvement in the number of our pupils cycling to school is impressive.
"The Big Pedal has really focused our children's efforts, helping us to meet and exceed our target of ten per cent of children regularly cycling or scooting to school."
Meanwhile, Reception and Year 1 pupils at Greenacre School, in Banstead, celebrated the Big Pedal with their own Learn to Ride afternoon.
Twenty girls practised their balance skills and four girls successfully learnt to ride their bikes independently.
