Theme: Walking (Cycling, Scooting, or Park & Stride) with Joy

Alwoodley regularly sees some of the worst air quality in Leeds*. Last year, Alwoodley 2030 hosted bike rides to help people gain confidence with cycling and engaged over 47% of primary school families in Walk to School week. That week alone saved 310 kg of CO2 (equivalent to 1377 driving miles) across all seven Alwoodley schools over four days and we received a great deal of feedback from local residents about the quiet streets. I'm sure we all also understand the health and well being benefits of walking, scooting or cycling to school. 

This year we want to have an even greater impact whilst having lots of fun! Here's how you and your family can get involved. 

1. Families, make and keep the pledge to walk, cycle, or scoot (or park and stride) at least four out of the five days during the week. Your children will earn a badge if you both make the pledge and report back that you've kept the pledge. Make your pledge here!

2. Join in one of our local guided walks with your family.

   • Sunday, 4th May 2025: a birdsong walk with Steve Joul. This morning Steve Joul will be leading the Friends of Adel Woodsannual birdsong walk, meeting at 6.55 am in the Village Green carpark, and finishing at about 9 am. The walk is free, but if you would like to make a voluntary contribution to our funds of, say, £3 cash.

   • Family-friendly guided nature walk in Adel Woods. Saturday, May 3rd. Booking required.

3. Get your bikes ready at on school Site MOT.. See schedule of schools and book in your family's bike(s). 

4. West Yorkshire Police will mark and register bikes to prevent theft. FREE. Book here.

   • May 7th - Wigton Moor

   • May 8th - Allerton C of E

   • May 16th - Highfield Primary School

   • May 19th - Alwoodley Primary School

5. Join in on one of our instructor-led family bike rides to help get you and your family ready for Walk to School Week. (These spots go fast! Register ASAP)

   • 8 mile family ride around quiet streets around Eccup Reservoir. Register here.

   • Instructor-led family bike ride touring around Open Nature Friendly Garden locations on 11th May.

     • 12pm from the King Lane Park and Ride. Register here.

     • 2:50 from the Lord Darcy Car Park. Register here.

     • You'll also need to register for the Open Nature-Friendly Gardens Day.

6. Do you need help feeling ready to go cycling on your own or as a family? Take up these free support offers:

   • Book a private, free, instructor-led cycle to school or work session to learn quiet, safe routes and practice them.

   • Don't know how to ride a bike? FREE adult learn-to-ride sessions every Saturday for Adults.

   •  Try a free city e-bike hire that you can collect from Moortown Corner. 

   • Otley Cycle Club will be running a series of Five road cycle rides on Tuesday evenings at the Brownlee Track starting on April 29th between 19:00 and 20:00. Dates are: 29 April, 6 May; 13th May; 20 May and 3rd June; Come and learn how to ride and be safe on the Road. £5 per rider for the complete series. Minimum age 8.Booking here: www.trybooking.com/uk/ERDE

4. Plan your school run journey. 

6. • You might look at maps to see if you live within 1/2 mile -- an easy 10 minute walk, and assess whether that may be manageable for your family. Use the same tool to see if you live within 1 mile - an easy cycle ride for kids! 

   • Check the weather - do you have umbrellas, wellies, and appropriate outerwear? 

   • Consider Park & Stride if you must drive. Park and Stride car parks are designated areas that keep cars off residential streets and give children the opportunity to get a 10 minute walk in before school.  We know many families need to drive so parents can dash off to work. Will you consider planning ahead to try out park and stride for the week?

7. Use this as an opportunity to reflect on how healthy are streets are for active travel.

   • Take time to think about how healthy Alwoodley Streets are for Active Travel. When you make the pledge, sign up to share your feedbck via the Healthy Streets audit. Share these audits with Alwoodley 2030 to advocate for resources and infrastructure changes.

   • Review this virtual Road Safety Guide for Parents with Young Children from Child Friendly Leeds.

8. Help  create a community-wide festive atmosphere. Download, print and display a sign in your front garden/window to encourage others to make the pledge. Create bunting and decorations out of old clothes and surplus fabric.  Hang these up in front of your house if you live along a street with a lot of school run footfall. Volunteer to help your child's school create a festive atmosphere.

Participating schools include:  Highfield Primary, Wigton Moor Primary, Brodetsky Primary, Primley Wood Primary, Allerton C of E Primary, Alwoodley Primary and St Paul's Primary. We hope that everyone in the Ward will join in on all the opportunities to get healthy and active over the spring and summer.