Cycle to School Week 2026: The Real Cost of the School Run
Cycle to School Week is back! From Monday 5 to Friday 9 October 2026, schools and families across Portsmouth, Southampton and beyond are invited to swap the school run for a bike ride.
Led by Bikeability, Cycle to School Week is a national celebration of everyday cycling. Whether your child is already riding or just getting started, it's a great chance to build confidence, try something new and see how much better the school run feels on two wheels.
The real cost of the school run
This year's campaign looks at what the school run really costs families. That means money, but also time, wellbeing and the air around our schools.
Spend less. Bikeability estimates the school run costs UK families around £109 a year. A bike is a one-off investment with very low running costs: no fuel, no parking and no queues for a space.
Rush less. Across a school year, the school run can add up to nearly 100 hours, much of it spent in traffic and drop-off queues. The average primary school journey is around a 15-minute cycle.
Stress less. Children who ride to school start the day active, calm and ready to learn. Every journey builds their confidence and independence.
Pollute less. Switching from car to bike for a whole school year could save around 307kg of CO₂, helping to create cleaner air around the school gate.
Bikeability in numbers
More than 5.8 million children have been trained since Bikeability began in 2007
500,000 places were booked between April 2024 and March 2025, including 86,081 here in the South East
After Level 2 training, 93% of riders feel more confident cycling on roads
96% of parents are likely to encourage their child to cycle after Level 2 training
Make your pledge
There are two ways to get involved:
Schools can pledge to receive a free School Pledge Pack. It includes classroom resources, assembly slides, posters and activity ideas. Pledging schools can also enter a prize draw to win four Squish balance bikes.
Families and individuals can pledge to cycle to school, try a new route or ride together as a family. You'll receive a free Pledge Pack and can enter a prize draw to win a Batch children's bike.
Make your pledge on the Bikeability website. T&Cs apply. Cycle to School Week 2026 is supported by NatWest Rooster Money.
How Pedal Power Training can help
We deliver Bikeability Level 1, Level 2 and Level 3 in schools across Portsmouth and Southampton. We work in partnership with Portsmouth City Council, Southampton City Council and Monty's Bike Hub. Our instructors help children progress from bike control skills in the playground to planning and riding real journeys on local roads.
If your child would like extra practice before the week, or your family wants to ride together with more confidence, we also offer private cycling tuition, including route-specific sessions.
Get ready for the week
Check your bike. Pump up the tyres, test the brakes, oil the chain and fit lights for darker October mornings.
Try the route first. A weekend practice ride helps everyone know what to expect on Monday.
Pick the best route. Look for quieter roads and cycle paths, even if the route takes a few minutes longer.
Dress for October. Pack a waterproof and layers so a bit of drizzle doesn't stop the fun.
Ride together. Ask other families to join you, or talk to your school about starting a bike bus.
More than one week
Five days of cycling can be the start of a new habit. Many families who try it during Cycle to School Week keep riding long after it ends.
Ready to join in? Make your pledge, check your bike and we'll see you on the road!
