 Pupils stepped up for Walktober challenge
We celebrated International Walk to School Month by running a new Walktober initiative to reward pupils, schools and staff for adopting a sustainable school run.
Suggested challenges include travelling a mile or more, taking an active trip during the half-term break or swapping out a regular car trip.
Participants were asked to create a journal of their activities as well as a drawing or writing about their active journeys.
A pupil from Emmbrook Infant School and a pupil from Westende Junior School, both in Wokingham, each won a £50 gift voucher for their winning entries.
It's all part of our efforts to encourage sustainable travel, ranging from schemes like this to improving walking, cycling and bus provision.
Bling your bike and more for festive competition
We're asking pupils to add some festive bling to their bikes, scooters or backpacks for a Christmas competition - be as creative as you like!
Once you've finished adding some dazzle to your active journey, take a photo and send your creations to us before Friday, 19 December 2025.
There's a £50 book voucher for the winner and a £25 book voucher for the runner-up.
 Free festive buses offered across borough
We're offering free single fares on all local bus journeys that start in Wokingham Borough on the weekends running up to Christmas.
The offer applies on:
- Sunday 30 November
- Saturday 6 and Sunday 7 December
- Saturday 13 and Sunday 14 December
- Saturday 20 and Sunday 21 December
We know it's an expensive time and we're happy to help reduce your travel costs, whether you're doing some festive shopping or just visiting friends and family.
The free buses coincide with several of our Christmas events - some are already sold out, but worth considering if you've got a ticket!
The offer still applies if you travel outside the borough but if you go somewhere that isn't running a similar offer, you'll need to pay for your return journey.
It also doesn't apply to services like park and rides or football shuttles.
It's funded by the Government through our Bus Service Improvement Plan, with similar offers in neighbouring boroughs.
 Shelters improve bus service for new residents
We've installed six new bus shelters along the route of the 600 Mereoak park and ride bus in and around Shinfield.
The shelters were funded by developers, as part of their obligation to provide community infrastructure in areas where they're building homes.
This follows the extension of the 600 route to cover new housing to the north and west of Hyde End Road about a year ago.
New bus stop poles, flags and timetable cases will follow, along with resurfacing and new road markings alongside each one.
Next year, we'll be installing new developer-funded bus shelters along the route of the Leopard 3 bus service in and around Arborfield Green.
You can catch Bus 300 to the Royal Berkshire Hospital in Reading from either Thames Valley Park or Mereoak Park & Ride between 6am and 7pm (Monday to Friday). There is a limited offer of £2.50 for a return ticket, which Reading Borough Council has arranged with funding from the Government.
 Knitted hearts raise awareness of women's safety
Volunteers handed out hand-knitted hearts to rail passengers to raise awareness and offer support to women experiencing violence from men.
The gesture at Reading station was organised by the Southeast Community Rail Partnership, with our support, as part of the White Ribbon Day initiative.
The hearts offered a a soft, discreet and symbolic gesture of care to passengers, staff and local businesses, and included QR code links to support services.
This supports the Southeast Community Rail Partnership's wider safety efforts, including staff safeguarding training and public awareness campaigns.
While incidents on our railways are relatively infrequent, recent surveys show:
- Women and girls feel more vulnerable at stations and on trains than men
- Young people often feel intimidated by drunk, rowdy or anti-social passengers
If you witness violence or harassment in public, you can report it immediately on 101 (or 999 if you think someone is in danger).
You may be able to intervene with a non-confrontational gesture if you think it's safe, according to guidance from British Transport Police.
 There's no age limit for learning to ride!
We're really proud that all participants made progress following a successful four weeks' adult cycle training at Alder Grove Primary School in Shinfield.
Some have moved up to improver level and are now going out on the road, while others are more confident handling their bike.
They've learned important skills like awareness, signalling and manoeuvres.
Nordic walking - get fitter and stronger without the impact
We're trialling Nordic Walking training this term and had our first session on 24 November, which all the participants enjoyed.
This is a full-body walking workout, using poles, which engages most of the body's muscles and burns more calories than regular walking.
It improves heart health, blood pressure, balance, posture and upper body strength and it's gentle on the joints compared with jogging.
You can book a space on our next session at Swallowfield on 2 December from 10.30am to 12pm.
Want to join in next year?
We'd like to run more adult cycling and Nordic walking sessions next spring, so drop us an email if you'd be interested and we'll add you to our waiting list.
 Upcoming activities and events
- Free Balance Bike Club at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Free Balance Bike Club at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at FBC in Finchampstead (Wednesdays)
- Learn to Ride sessions (£10) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre in Woodley (Thursdays)
- Dr Bike (free bike checks) at Woodford Park Leisure Centre (on Thursdays during term-time between 2.30pm to 3.30pm
For more information on our regular cycle training and activities or to book, visit our website. or follow us on Facebook and Instagram
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