Active travel takes centre stage on Clean Air Day

Kate Salter is Air Quality Officer at Sustrans and works closely alongside BCP Council to promote the importance of cleaning up the air we breathe. She’s the author of our latest blog post:

To celebrate Clean Air Day, I had the chance to witness something truly inspiring - BMX flatland champion Matti Hemmings visiting schools across the BCP area with his high-energy stunt show. It wasn’t just about the tricks (though they were incredible); it was about showing young people how fun, exciting, and planet-friendly active travel can be.

Matti’s visit, organised by BCP Council and Sustrans, was part of the wider Bike It initiative, which supports walking, cycling, and scooting to school. At St Edward’s School, his jaw-dropping performance was followed by hands-on workshops that got pupils moving and thinking differently about how they travel.

“It’s all about showing young people that being active can be fun, exciting, and good for the planet,” Matti said. “If just one student chooses to cycle instead of getting a lift to school, that’s a win for clean air.”

The impact was immediate. At Bearwood Primary, staff told us, “Matti captivated the interest of every child... a great experience for the children!” And the pupils were just as enthusiastic:

• “I thought he was really cool... now I want a BMX!”
• “I think it's good to see what you can do on a bike...”
• “I really liked it, especially when he was spinning around!”

It was clear the event left a lasting impression. Some pupils were inspired to dust off their old bikes, while others experienced the joy of riding for the very first time.

As St Edward’s School put it: “The visit from Matti Hemmings to St Edward’s Secondary School marked a powerful conclusion to our Clean Air Project. His presence reignited our students’ enthusiasm and determination to take meaningful action in improving air quality - such as choosing active travel whenever possible.

“The stunt show captivated many of the school community with its breathtaking tricks, and the workshops were a highlight for those involved. Some students were inspired to return to their BMXs, while others experienced the joy of riding a bike for the very first time. We are sincerely grateful to BCP Council and Sustrans for selecting our school to host this impactful initiative.”

To help schools keep the momentum going, BCP Council is offering free toolkits at www.transformingtravel.info/schools, packed with resources to support active travel.

Clean Air Day is a powerful reminder that small changes - like walking, cycling, or scooting to school - can make a big difference. And thanks to Matti’s visit, a lot more young people are now excited to make those changes.