Pupils signed up for the Brake Giant Walking Bus, highlighting the dangers of traffic to walkers and promoting a 20mph area around schools. A total of 1,500 children across Northern Ireland participated in the road safety charity’s initiative. Julie Townsend, deputy chief executive, Brake, said: “Recent reports have provided a stark warning about the potential consequences of the UK slipping further into a spiral of physical inactivity. The impacts will be felt hardest by our children, who could face a lifetime of poor health and have to pick up the bill for rising healthcare costs. This crisis can be averted, but we need urgent action. “As is clear from the thousands taking part in Brake’s Giant Walk today, kids love to get out and about on foot and bike, and parents want to be able to let them. “It is a national scandal that danger from fast traffic often prevents children from having the fun, active, healthy childhoods they deserve.” Schools in England, Scotland and Wales also participated.