Cycle to School Week 2026 reveals families could save over £1,000 a year by cycling on the school run 

The Bikeability Trust is encouraging families to shake up the school run as Cycle to School Week returns from Monday 5 – Friday 9 October.

The children’s cycling campaign inspires pupils, parents and schools to choose pedal power to get to school, helping families save money, reduce stress, improve wellbeing and cut pollution.

New research reveals the real cost of the school run

The Bikeability Trust has calculated the true cost of the school run, exploring the impact of the twice‑daily journey on families’ finances, time, mental health and local environment.

On average, a parent can expect to travel 1,172 miles per year to and from drop-offs and pick-ups. In the UK’s favourite car, a Ford Fiesta, this can cost £1,413 per year on petrol and running costs – not including buying the car and car seat, which would bring the total to a whopping £7,463.

Comparatively, the spend on annual cycle repairs, servicing and insurance comes to just £400 for two cycles for a parent and child. Even including start-up costs for cycles, helmets and locks only brings the total to £1,545 for parent and child – a saving of £5,917.55 over buying a car.

The findings highlight how travelling actively can help ease pressure on families, while reducing congestion on school roads and improving wellbeing. Data from parent-led charity Solve the School Run shows that 65% of primary pupils living over a mile from their school are driven,[i] offering alternatives such as public transport, cargo bikes, school buses, mixed modes, and staffed walking buses or cycle groups will all help to reduce school-time traffic.

Emily Cherry, Chief Executive, The Bikeability Trust, said: “For many families, the school run is one of the most stressful parts of the day – squeezed for time, battling traffic and juggling costs. Cycle to School Week is about showing that things can be different.

“Our new focus on the cost of the school run goes beyond pounds and pence – though our data proves families can save over £1,000 a year by choosing to cycle instead of drive.

“It’s about the time we spend travelling to school and what that looks like, the stress we carry with us into the school and work day, and the air our children breathe. Cycling to school, even just once or twice a week, can make a real difference.”

Pedalling the way to wellbeing

The school run is a major contributor to rush-hour congestion, poor air quality and stress, with parents spending almost 7 hours a year trying to find parking.[ii] Choosing to cycle even for one journey can help families avoid parking strife, build healthy habits, and ease financial strain.

Solve the School Run found that the school run around one south east London junction increased congestion by 50% and air pollution by 50% between 8–9 am in school term time, versus school holidays.[iii] And per Unicef, primary-age children take in 60% of their daily pollution on the school run, despite school accounting for only 40% of their time.[iv]

But The Bikeability Trust has calculated that pupils who pledge to pedal for Cycle to School Week alone can save around 800 metric tons CO₂e nationwide. And if every primary pupil chose to cycle to school for the entire academic year, together they’d save 151,000 metric tons CO₂e.[v]

Chris Boardman, National Active Travel Commissioner, Active Travel England, said: “The school run is one of the short journeys we make most often and it has an outsized impact on congestion, air quality and how our streets feel.

“When families are given the confidence and the conditions to cycle, the benefits are immediate – calmer streets, healthier children and parents, and a better start and end to the school day. Campaigns like Cycle to School Week help show what’s possible.”

The ever-growing impact of Cycle to School Week

Cycle to School Week continues to grow year on year. In 2025, the campaign saw:

• 427,596 pledges[vi]
• 18 MPs taking part including Minister for Local Transport Lilian Greenwood MP
• School visits from 4 active travel commissioners including Chris Boardman CBE

The Bikeability Trust hopes to build on that momentum in 2026, inviting even more families and schools to take part and experience the benefits of cycling to school – even for one journey.

Can you help us hit more than half a million pledges this time round?

Families and schools can sign up and receive free resources at cycletoschoolweek.co.uk.

Schools can take part by picking pledges including encouraging pupils to make active journeys to school, while families can choose pledges such as cycling for just one day during the event. All who pledge to participate will be entered into a prize draw, with the winning school receiving four Squish balance bikes and helmets, and the winning individual a children’s cycle by Batch.[vii]

Notes:

[i] Key findings | Solve the School Run.

[ii] Family Friendly Working 2021.

[iii] Key findings | Solve the School Run.

[iv] A breath of toxic air: UK children in danger – UNICEF UK

[v] 797,318 total carbon savings (kgCO2e) based on half a million pledges per year, parent and child cycling on journeys to and from school instead of using a private motorised vehicle (car); calculation accounts for electric and hybrid vehicles.

[vi] From 697 individuals and 508 schools on behalf of pupils.

[vii] No purchase necessary. Full terms and conditions apply, see cycletoschoolweek.com.