Steve Brine visited Merdon Junior School in Chandler's Ford on Friday 27th April as he took part in the Big Pedal, the UK's largest cycling and scooting challenge, in a bid to raise awareness of the nation's air quality crisis.
Organised by walking and cycling charity Sustrans, participating primary and secondary schools compete with each other to make the most journeys by bike or scooter.
As part of the Big Pedal initiative a YouGov poll, carried out for Sustrans, surveyed over 1,000 children aged six to 15 years old about their attitudes towards air pollution and the actions they think should be taken to help clean up the air – this is the UK's biggest survey of children's attitudes about air pollution.
The survey revealed that over two fifths (43 per cent) of children living in urban areas are concerned about the levels of air pollution near their school.
This year more than 15 schools have registered across the Southampton and Chandler's Ford area to take part in the Big Pedal which aims to get more young people cycling and scooting to school.
Steve Brine said: "I am delighted to be a part of this year's Big Pedal.
"Initiatives like the Big Pedal which encourage children to be more active while raising awareness of the very real dangers of air pollution are welcome.
"It is important that people are made aware that how they choose to travel will affect their health and the environment and are better able to make informed decisions which benefit the whole community."
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