The Sustrans Big Pedal saw children cycle to school over a 10-day period

School pupils from across the country shunned lifts with parents to take their bikes to school.

Pupils from Scotland travelled more than 142,400 miles by bike and scooter over the course of the 10-day Sustrans Big Pedal.

The annual event is aimed at reducing the number of cars waiting outside the school gates and helping to ease congestion.

The charity has highlighted that more than 2,000 schools and nurseries are near to roads with damaging levels of motor emissions and is calling on local authorities to take advantage of new Community Links funding, the Safer Routes to school fund and other support from the Scottish Government to invest in cycling and walking infrastructure.

Lynn Stocks, head of behaviour change at Sustrans Scotland, said: “We’re delighted that so many schools in Scotland took part in this year’s Big Pedal. Events like this, demonstrate to parents and children just how easy it is to leave their car at home and walk, cycle or scoot to school instead.

“We hope that everyone who participated will continue to travel actively in the morning and afternoon. This will play a huge role in improving air quality and will protect future generations for years to come."

Organised by Sustrans, and sponsored by Micro Scooters and Tonik, the Big Pedal, which took place from 23 April to 4 May, is the largest inter-school competition of its kind in the UK. For more information and a list of the overall winners visit the Big Pedal website.