Young cyclists from Nantwich and Crewe schools have been recognised for promoting healthier and greener travel as part of an Active Travel poster competition.
The competition invited children who had taken part in Bikeability – the government’s national cycle training programme – to design posters encouraging families to make more active journeys by walking and cycling safely.
It was organised by Cheshire East Council’s Active Travel Champion Cllr Ben Wye and Bikeability instructor Gareth Roberts and attracted more than 80 entries from pupils.
The overall winner was Ryan Keeling (pictured), from Mablins Lane Community Primary School, who was crowned Junior Active Travel Champion of South Cheshire for 2026.
He received a certificate and a goodie bag including a family ticket to the Nantwich Show.
Ryan said: “Taking part in the competition really inspired me to get confidence in my heart.”
Two runners-up were also recognised for their creative efforts.
Isla Welch, from Shavington Primary School, and Polina Voronovska, from Millfields School in Nantwich, both received certificates and goodie bags.
Cllr Wye, who has campaigned for improved walking and cycling routes for many years, said encouraging active travel from an early age benefits both young people and the wider community.
He said: “Enabling young people to develop active travel habits from an early age is not only good for their health and wellbeing, it saves money and reduces vehicle movements at peak times, which improves traffic flow and air quality for all of us.”
Bikeability instructor Gareth said the competition reinforced the lessons children learn during their cycle training.
He said: “The children are taught to ride their bikes safely when taking part in Bikeability.
“They are also encouraged to continue cycling after completing Bikeability, so asking them to create an active travel poster will reinforce our words of encouragement, and hopefully the children will inspire their families to be active.
“It was great to see the schools getting involved with this initiative and many of the posters were of a high standard, so choosing a winner was quite a difficult task.”
Bikeability is the Department for Transport’s national cycle training programme, launched in 2007 to replace the former Cycle Proficiency scheme.
In Cheshire East, the training is delivered in schools by Everybody Health and Leisure, helping children gain the skills and confidence to cycle safely on today’s roads.
(Story by Jonathan White, photos by Gareth Roberts)
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