Schools and families on the Central Coast are being encouraged to take part in Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel on Friday, March 22.
National Ride2School Day aims to help students, teachers, parents and carers discover the joys of riding and kickstart healthy habits for the future.
Organised by charity the Bicycle Network, the initiative is expected to see more than 350,000 students from around 900 schools across Australia participate this year by either riding, walking, scootering or skating to school.
Woy Woy South Public School is one of the schools encouraging its students to take part.
“Our school is very focused on improving the health of our students, so National Ride2School Day is a perfect opportunity to promote important health messages,” teacher Natalie Dwyer said.
“We already have lots of students who ride and walk to school, and we’ll be encouraging even more to take part on the day to discover the joys of going active to school, while adopting some healthy habits.”
Central Coast Local Health District health promotion officer Nigel Tebb said the day provides many health benefits.
“Riding a bike to school is a fun and easy way for children to get some of the recommended minimum 60 minutes of physical activity they need each day to be healthy,” he said.
“What’s more, going active to school improves a young person’s concentration, so children taking part can turn up to school more focused and ready to learn.
“We also encourage parents and carers to get involved on the day too.
“Not only is it a great way to spend quality time with children and model healthy habits, but primary school students are safest when they are supervised by an adult when cycling.
“Even if you can only walk, cycle or go active for part of the way, every little bit of physical activity helps.”
Last year’s National Ride2School Day saw around 366,000 students and 871 schools take part across Australia, helping to save 29 tonnes of carbon dioxide – the equivalent of planting 202 trees.
For more information on National Ride2School Day, visit www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/ride2schoolday.
Children under 16 can ride on footpaths unless there are signs prohibiting cycling.
If there were actual bike paths where I live I would. There’s not even footpaths on some streets where I walk.