Schools active travel calendar (2026-27)
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. Keep scrolling for inspiration!
September
September sees the start of the new school year – it's the perfect time for students to get into good routines and healthy habits – so encourage pupils to incorporate walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling into their journeys to and from school. Get a localised active travel leaflet and map for your school. Contact active.travel@tfgm.com to order yours.
All Month - Mode Shift Month
Mode Shift Month is a celebration dedicated to all things walking, wheeling, cycling and journey sharing by public transport or car. Head to the Modeshift website for more information and resources such as lesson plans, scavenger hunt activities and pledge cards.
Wednesday 16 – Tuesday 22 September- European Mobility Week
European Mobility Week encourages everyone to consider active travel and sustainable transport, particularly in our towns and cities. This year's theme, Mobility for Everyone, focuses on ensuring that people of all ages - from children to older people - can access sustainable transport despite their different mobility needs and challenges throughout their life. Free resources are available to help organise car-free days.
Tuesday 22 September – World Car Free Day
As part of this international day of awareness to promote sustainable ways to travel to school, Living Streets share ideas on how to reduce the number of cars on the streets around schools, including a five-day walking challenge which encourages youngsters to discover the "magic of walking". Find out more on the World Car Free Day website.
October
Be bright, be seen! Once the clocks go back and 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 5 – Friday 9 October - Cycle to School Week
How many pupils at your school will ‘pledge to pedal’ during Cycle to School Week? Throughout the week, schools and families are encouraged to take a new route to the school gate - one that’s quicker, healthier, cheaper and a whole lot more fun. More information and resources are available from Bikeability.
November
Remember, remember...road safety in November! With the darker nights and colder, wetter weather setting in, make sure young people are aware of the importance of staying safe when travelling to and from school.
Sunday 15 – Saturday 21 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.
Sunday 22 - Monday 30 November - National Tree Week
Why not inspire students to plan and walk a green route to school during National Tree Week? Ask students to share their greenest routes and create a shared map which highlights the green corridors in the area. A free schools' resource pack is available on the National Tree Week website.
December
December doesn't need to mean staying indoors – encourage pupils to be active whatever the weather! Who knows, there might even be a chance to get the sledge out!
Throughout December - TfGM’s Walk to the North Pole Challenge
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, receive the resources.
All Month – Active Travel December
Active Travel December is a great opportunity to encourage walking, wheeling, scooting, cycling, public transport or – if the snow falls - maybe even sledge or skis! Modeshift has resources available for primary and secondary schools.
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. Find out more about Modeshift STARS.
January
Move more this New Year! It’s back to school after Christmas, so why not 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
The days are already starting to get longer in February as we look forward to spring. Being active and travelling to school by walking, wheeling, scooting or cycling has so many benefits for pupils – including boosting their mood. Taking part in physical activity each day can improve young people's sleep, reduce stress, and support good mental health.
Thursday 4 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 1 – Sunday 7 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
Spring is finally here and with it, longer days and perhaps even better weather! Encourage pupils to ‘spring’ into action and get active on their journey to and from school this month.
Thursday 4 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.
Monday 8 March - International Women’s Day
Almost half the number of girls (17%) cycle five or more times weekly compared to boys (28%), according to the Walk Wheel Cycle Trust’s ‘Children’s Walking and Cycling Index’ from 2025. Help encourage a love of cycling in girls this International Women's Day. Head to she's got the moves for inspirational case studies and information about programmes, activities and resources available for women.
Easter Weekend: Friday 26 – Monday 29 March
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.
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. Find out more about Modeshift STARS.
April
Hop to it and get Active in April - the weather is finally getting warmer (dodge those April showers on the way to school!) and check out the Active Travel events page for roadshows to get students inspired to walk, ride and wheel more regularly.
Thursday 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
May is a great time to enjoy being outside, with the warmer weather and two bank holidays to look forward to! This month the spotlight falls on walking, with the Greater Manchester Walking Festival and Walk to School Week both taking place.
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 listed online.
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
With World Bike Day, National Bike Week and the excitement building for Tour de France men's and women's races fast approaching in July, June’s focus is cycling! Take advantage of Le Tour fever by getting pupils inspired to cycle.
Wednesday 3 June: World Bicycle Day
World Bike Day shines a spotlight on the benefits of cycling – from boosting health to cutting carbon emissions. How many pupils can you encourage to cycle to school? Check out some inspiration and resources on the World Bike Day website.
9 – 15 June National Bike Week
National Bike Week is an annual event recognising and celebrating the many benefits of cycling. Keep the momentum and excitement going throughout June! Education resource site Twinkl has a variety of bike-themed ideas to celebrate Bike Week.
Friday 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 17 June - Clean Air Day
Reducing congestion around schools improves air quality, which has health benefits for both 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
July sees the men's Tour de France Grand Depart taking place in the UK for the first time since 2014, and the Grand Depart for Le Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift coming to Greater Manchester! It's the ideal time to get boys and girls into cycling – and a chance for students to see the world's top female cyclists in action close to home too!
Friday 2 – Sunday 4 July – Tour de France men's race UK Grand Depart
Early July means the men's Tour de France, and this year the first three stages take place in the UK. Maybe your school has a future Tadej Pogacar in the making! Help inspire the next generation of cyclists with resources on the Tour website.
Friday 30 and Saturday 31 July – Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift Grand Depart
Friday sees the first stage of the women's Grand Depart conclude in Greater Manchester, with elite female cyclists crossing the finish line at Deansgate in their battle for the yellow jersey. The following morning, the race continues onwards from Manchester city centre, taking in Stockport and New Mills before finishing in Sheffield. The Tour website has a range of information and resources, including specific girls' participation programmes.
Saturday 31 July - Modeshift STARS accreditation
Remember to complete and submit all requirements for your chosen accreditation tier before the summer break. TfGM and your Local Authority are there to help if you need it. Find out more about Modeshift STARS.