Our biggest Cycle to School Week yet!
This year’s record-breaking Cycle to School week saw nearly half a million pupils take part.
October 15, 2026
We’re delighted to announce that Cycle to School Week 2026 was the biggest in the campaign’s eight-year history, with 476,472 pledges from children, families and schools across England. That’s an 11% increase on last year’s total, showing growing enthusiasm for active travel and healthier school journeys.
Assessing the impact
This year’s campaign focused on the real cost of the school run, highlighting how travelling by cycle can help families save money, reduce carbon emissions and improve children’s physical and mental wellbeing.
Together, participants helped save an estimated 759 tonnes of CO2e, demonstrating the collective difference that small changes to everyday journeys can make.
And if every primary school pupil in the UK cycled to school throughout the year? The potential carbon savings would be equivalent to taking almost 300,000 cars off the road!
“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. Cycle to School Week helps show what’s possible.” National Active Travel Commissioner Chris Boardman CBE
Saving money while helping the planet
Cycle to School Week isn’t just about reducing emissions. It also highlighted how cycling can help families manage the cost of everyday life.
Our calculations showed that a parent and child cycling to school for a year could save more than £1,000 compared to travelling by car, enough to help cover school dinners, school shoes, PE kit and uniform costs.
At a time when many households are looking for ways to cut costs while staying active, cycling continues to offer a practical solution that benefits both family budgets and the environment.
Visits from MPs, Active Travel commissioners and more!
This year’s campaign attracted support from across politics, transport and public life.
Activities kicked off with a video message from Secretary of State for Transport Heidi Alexander MP, while MPs from across the political spectrum visited Bikeability training sessions during the week.
Support also came from leading active travel figures including Chris Boardman CBE, Ed Clancy OBE, Dame Sarah Storey and David Skaith, Mayor of York and North Yorkshire, all helping to shine a light on the benefits of cycling to school.
Families also enjoyed a special message from Morning Live and Operation Ouch! star Dr Xand, who highlighted the benefits of bike buses while taking part in one himself.
An award-winning campaign!
This year, we were delighted to see the Cycle to School Week campaign recognised by the active travel sector with a range of nominations and awards.
Cycle to School Week was shortlisted for both the National Transport Awards Campaign of the Year and the Modeshift National Travel Awards Community Engagement Project of the Year, before going on to win the National Sustainability Awards Education Award of the Year!
This award recognises the power of education, training and campaigns to turn sustainability awareness into meaningful action – exactly what Cycle to School Week is all about.
A special week for Bikeability
Cycle to School Week 2026 was particularly memorable for Bikeability’s CEO, Emily Cherry MBE, who received her MBE from Prince William at Windsor Castle during the campaign.
“More than half a million pledges for the first time in the campaign’s history is incredible and demonstrates the growing appetite among families, schools and communities for healthier, more affordable and more sustainable ways to travel.” Bikeability CEO Emily Cherry MBE
Thank you for taking part
Cycle to School Week 2026 was proudly supported by our headline sponsor NatWest Rooster Money, alongside partners Squish, Batch Bicycles, Shyre Bikes, Ridgeback Kids and Decathlon.
Whether you made a pledge, joined a bike bus, encouraged your school to get involved, or simply chose to cycle instead of drive for a few journeys, thank you for being part of this year’s campaign.
Together, we’ve shown what’s possible when families, schools and communities choose active travel. We can’t wait to see what we can achieve next year!
To keep up to date with our latest news, subscribe to the Bikeability Club newsletter here or find your nearest cycle training here.
This year’s Cycle to School Week saw 476,472 pledges from 257 individuals and 405 schools.
