The Big Pedal challenges children to cycle or scoot to school. Former Olympic swimmer and sports commentator Sharron Davies tells Lisa Salmon why she'll be getting on her bike next month

We all know that exercise is good for us – yet many people, both young and old, either can’t be bothered or don’t find the time to do it.

But as nearly all children have to get to school every weekday, and as their parents often accompany them, the journey is an ideal opportunity for the whole family to get some vital exercise.

And that’s why The Big Pedal 2015 is urging children, parents and teachers to either cycle or scoot to school for at least 10 days between March 2 and 20.

The annual event, which is run by the cycling and walking charity Sustrans, is supported by former swimmer and Olympic medallist Sharron Davies, whose eight-year-old son Finley cycles or scoots to school every day.

She says: “Parents are often bombarded with advice on keeping their children healthy and while they’re juggling family life with work life, the potential of the school run can easily be overlooked.

“When children live near to school, changing the journey can transform their health by incorporating a little exercise into their daily routines – before the school bell rings.”

As well as reducing traffic around schools, the principal idea behind the initiative is that it will encourage pupils and parents to lead healthier lives – more than half of UK adults don’t meet the guidelines for daily physical activity (at least 150 minutes of moderate intensity aerobic activity, such as cycling or fast walking) every week, and an even smaller percentage of children aged five-15 (21% of boys and 16% of girls) reach the guideline levels for young people of at least 60 minutes of physical activity every day.

Schools taking part in The Big Pedal will record journeys made either by the whole school or individual classes, with those recording the most journeys over 10 days winning prizes including school visits from scooter and mountain bike display teams, and action-adventure trips.

The Big Pedal attracted 1,200 schools last year, and teachers, parents, siblings and pupils made more than a million journeys to school on their bikes and scooters. The last day of the competition, March 20, is also Superhero Fundraising Day, where children dress as superheroes and donate £1 to Sustrans.

A survey of teachers at schools that took part last year found that pupils continued to cycle and scoot to three quarters of the participating schools after the event, and 39% said pupils who took part were noticeably happier throughout the day.

In addition, 29% said the event reduced traffic congestion around the school.

Sharron, founder of www.parents4sports.com, adds: “I believe that an active journey to school should become part of a family's morning routine, just like brushing your teeth.

“Give cycling and scooting to school a try."

Sustrans wants a safer school run, and is asking the Government to dedicate funding to the issue, commit to lower traffic speeds, and transform local walking and cycling routes.