Our Campaign Junction events for 2025 have officially wrapped up! Marking another milestone in empowering young people to lead the way in reshaping how we approach everyday journeys.
Delivered as part of the Active Travel Ambassador (ATA) programme, funded by Active Travel England with the Bikeability Trust, these events took place across six regions in England between March and May. The energy, ideas, and impact were nothing short of inspiring.
15 multi school events have been held all over the country with close to 900 ambassadors, school staff and guests attending.
The events bring together secondary school students involved in the ATA programme to pitch their travel campaigns to a panel of experts. Each team competes to secure up to £250 in funding to launch a campaign promoting active and sustainable travel at their school. Whether it’s walking, wheeling, or sharing journeys, the ambassadors are leading the conversation and creating change.
We couldn’t have delivered the Campaign Junction events without the amazing support of our judging panels. Active Travel England, Let’s Go Zero, Department for Transport, Bikeability Trust, Living Streets to name but a few … Experts from across the transport, education, sustainability and public sectors generously gave their time, feedback and enthusiasm to support the ATA’s.
Regional Highlights: Real Action Across the Map
Across six regions, schools showcased how they are building a culture of safe, healthy, active travel.
Here’s a snapshot of what happened:
South and West Yorkshire
Six schools presented campaigns tackling pavement parking, improving road safety, and promoting cycling and walking in South Yorkshire. Support from Northern Rail enabled schools to attend using public transport, aligning perfectly with the ATA’s sustainable travel goals. Brinsworth Academy and Oakwood High School earned additional funding for their exceptional campaigns.
And in West Yorkshire, the event held at Leeds Civic Hall, showed how education and transport can come together to influence real behaviour change. Campaigns focused on reducing congestion, promoting safe everyday journeys, and using student-led media to spread the message. Bruntcliffe Academy and Temple Moor High School earned top marks from the judging panel.
West Midlands
Hosted in Solihull’s Council Chambers and Birmingham’s Midlands Arts Centre, events featured engaging activities like a static bike challenge, creative pitches on car sharing, safer routes, and even roller-skating to school! Arden Academy and Lyndon School stood out, earning bonus funding from local leaders.
East Riding of Yorkshire
Twelve schools took to the historic Beverley County Hall chambers to pitch ideas ranging from Park & Stride schemes and anti-idling campaigns to bike maintenance workshops. The atmosphere was electric, with every school walking away inspired and an unexpected extra £250 funding bonus from the local authority left smiles all around.
South East
Events in this region included exciting ideas such as walking buses, inclusive cycling initiatives, and digital storytelling campaigns. With one event being opened by the Southampton-born, Team GB paralympic gold medallist, Aaron Phipps MBE who praised the students for being role models. The ATA’s showcased how small actions at school level can influence larger shifts in travel behaviour.
East of England
Three in Norwich, Ipswich and Chelmsford were a massive success due to the commitment of the teachers and students at the school and the knowledge and feedback from our experts. A special thank you to Suffolk County Council for matching the funding so even more great work can be done. One school has given away 10 refurbished bikes to students who do not have one and had a Dr. Bike session that serviced over 30 bikes!
South West
The South West hosted three energising events, each spotlighting creative and community-focused ideas to improve travel plans and promote everyday journeys by foot, bike, or bus. Students also engaged with campaign insights from University of the West of England’s Transport to Thrive report and an animation by the Bristol Climate & Nature Partnership, reinforcing the value of linking education, environment, and travel strategy.
Every Campaign Junction event is designed not only to support students’ school travel plans, but also to give them real-life experience in campaigning, public speaking, teamwork, and data analysis. These students are not only promoting active and sustainable travel they’re building skills that will support them far beyond the classroom.
Modeshift ATA Programme Manager, Chris Pryor, shared:
‘The Campaign Junction events show just how passionate and capable our ATA’s are. They understand the value of everyday journeys and want to make them safer, healthier and better for everyone. Their leadership is shaping the future of school travel.’
Get Inspired
If you’re part of a school, local authority or transport team looking to engage students in your travel plan get in touch with our team to learn how your school can take part.
