Schools active travel calendar (2025-26)
We’ve rounded up plenty of ideas to help with lesson and activity planning to incorporate active travel throughout the school year.
Every month there’s something happening, and TfGM and your local authority can provide assistance and support to deliver active travel initiatives.
September
The start of the new school year is the perfect time for pupils to get into good routines and healthy habits – encourage incorporating walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling into the journey to and from school. Get a localised active travel leaflet and map for your school. Contact active.travel@tfgm.com to order yours.
Monday 15 – Sunday 21 September - TravelWise Week
Encourage pupils to swap the car for a bike or use Park and Stride to get to school during this Modeshift travel challenge. More information and resources are available from Modeshift.
Monday 22 September - World Car Free Day
As part of this international day of awareness to promote sustainable ways of travel, encourage parents and caregivers who drive to park away from school and let pupils walk the rest of the way to reduce congestion. Living Streets runs a five-day walking challenge to reduce the number of cars on streets near schools.
October
Be bright, be seen! As the days get shorter it’s vital that pupils know the importance of being easily visible when walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling. THINK! has road safety resources for different age groups.
All month - International Walk to School Month
Celebrate the joys of walking or wheeling to school – pupils all around the world get involved too! More information and resources are available from Living Streets.
Monday 6 – Friday 10 October: Hands Up Survey competition
Undertake a Hands Up survey about travel habits during October to go into the draw to win prizes for your school. Download the Hands Up survey and reach out to us or your Local Authority for support and to submit your survey.
Monday 13 – Friday 17 October: Cycle to School Week
How many pupils at your school will ‘pledge to pedal’ during Cycle to School Week? More information and resources are available from Bikeability.
November
All month: Site audits
Complete a ‘Site Audit’ to better understand barriers that pupils and teachers may face when considering travelling actively to school and from school. Get in touch with us or your Local Authority for assistance.
Sunday 16 – Saturday 22 November: Road Safety Week
Awareness of road safety needs to be instilled in everyone from a young age – support Road Safety Week and contribute to making our roads safe for everyone. Brake has resources to help spread road safety awareness.
December
All month: Walk to the North Pole
Did you know that Greater Manchester is about 2,500 miles away from the North Pole?! In the lead up to Christmas, get pupils at your school moving by taking part in the Walk to the North Pole competition. Contact active.travel@tfgm.com to sign up and win prizes.
Wednesday 31 December: Modeshift STARS accreditation
Remember to complete and submit all requirements for your chosen accreditation tier. TfGM and your Local Authority are there to help if you need it.
January
Move more this New Year! Encourage pupils to kick start 2026 by pledging to travel actively to and from school this year. Get printable pledge postcards for your students by emailing active.travel@tfgm.com.
February
Being active and travelling to school by walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling has so many benefits for pupils. Physical activity each day can improve sleep, reduce stress, and support good mental health.
Thursday 5 February: Time to Talk Day
Walking, wheeling, cycling or scooting to school can be a great opportunity for pupils to talk about how they’re feeling with their friends or parents/caregivers. Mind has resources available to help start and encourage important conversations about mental health.
Monday 9 – Sunday 15 February: Children’s Mental Health Week
An awareness week to highlight what mental health is and why it’s important to look after it. Place2Be has resources available to support discussions and learning opportunities.
March
Did you know that 84% of primary school pupils in Greater Manchester live only a short walk or ride away from their school? Encourage pupils to ‘spring’ into action and get active on their journey to and from school as the days get longer.
Thursday 5 March: World Book Day
How creative can your students be? Can they incorporate their favourite mode of transport into their costume? World Book Day has ideas and resources to help your school celebrate.
End of March (dates TBC): Sustrans Big Walk and Wheel Week
Aiming to inspire pupils to make active journeys to and from school, participating the Big Walk and Wheel Week will help pupils discover how travelling actively can benefit their world. Sustrans has resources to help you run and promote the event at your school.
Tuesday 31 March: Modeshift STARS accreditation
Remember to complete and submit all requirements for your chosen accreditation tier. TfGM and your local authority are there to help if you need it.
April
Sunday 5 April: Easter
How can your students incorporate Active Travel into their Easter weekend, and put a ‘hop’ in their step? The bank holiday weekend is a great opportunity for pupils to get their families involved in Active Travel and share their knowledge of the benefits of walking, wheeling, scooting and cycling.
Wednesday 22 April: Earth Day
Inspire a lifetime of action to protect our planet. Active travel is an important factor for a more sustainable future, improving air quality which benefits the environment and our health. More information and resources are available from Earth Day.
May
All month: Greater Manchester Walking Festival
There are lots of activities happening during May as part of the Greater Manchester Walking Festival, including free, organised group walks. Arrange for your class to attend a walk or encourage pupils to join one with their family on a weekend. GM Moving has a programme of activities.
Mid-May (dates TBC): Walk to School Week
Can your pupils take on the challenge and walk to school every day for a week? Living Streets can provide primary classroom packs to help your pupils get involved.
June
Early-June (dates TBC) - National Bike Week
Shine the spotlight on the benefits of cycling – from boosting health to cutting carbon emissions. Encourage pupils to cycle to school, or organise cycle training or bike maintenance courses at your school to celebrate National Bike Week. Cycling UK resources to help plan activities.
Wednesday 3 June: World Bicycle Day
How many pupils can cycle to school on World Bike Day? Organise a Big Bike Brunch to celebrate those who do! Register a brunch with Cycling UK or find information about the day via United Nations.
Wednesday 5 June: World Environment Day
Raise awareness of the impacts of climate change on the environment, and how walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling can benefit the environment by reducing air pollution. Find information about the day via the United Nations.
Thursday 11 June: International Day of Play
Play is important for the development of all children – getting active on the way to or from school with friends can be a great way to incorporate play into every day. Information and resources are available from Right to Play.
Thursday 18 June: Clean Air Day
Reducing congestion around schools improved the air quality, which has health benefits for the school community and environment. Encourage conversations between pupils and their parents or caregivers about air pollution and how they can do their bit to reduce it by travelling actively more often. Information and resources are available from Global Action Plan.
July
Summer holidays are the perfect time for pupils to practice walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling to school ahead of the new year, or starting at a new school. Encourage pupils to practice the route and discuss road safety with their parents/caregivers so they’re ready to go when school returns.
Friday 31 July: Modeshift STARS accreditation
Remember to complete and submit all requirements for your chosen accreditation tier. TfGM and your Local Authority are there to help if you need it.