Children from Warnervale Public School among others will take part in National Ride2School Day, Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel on 25 March.
Organised by charity the Bicycle Network, more than 350,000 students across Australia are expected to participate by either riding, walking, scootering or skating to school.
Warnervale Public School is one of the schools encouraging their students to take part.
“Riding to and from school can help reduce traffic, reduce carbon footprint, promote physical activity and inform citizenship, said Warnervale Public School teacher Mariah Ingle.
Nigel Tebb, Health Promotion Officer at Central Coast Local Health District, said taking part provides both physical and cognitive benefits for children.
“National Ride2School Day provides a perfect opportunity for children to contribute to their recommended minimum 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
“Travelling actively also improves a young person’s concentration, so children taking part will turn up to school more focused and ready to learn.
“What’s more, with the price of petrol right now, ditching using the car for the school run in favour of a bike ride is a much more affordable way to travel, and you’d be doing your bit for the environment too,” he said.
National Ride2School Day aims to help students, teachers and parents discover the joys of riding and kick-start healthy habits for the future.
Last year’s National Ride2School Day saw more than 357,000 students and 878 schools take part across Australia, helping to save enough carbon dioxide equivalent to planting 200 trees.
For more information on National Ride2School Day, visit www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/ride2school-day.
Nicola Riches