On yar bike to get kids active

STUDENTS, staff, and parents throughout Australia will walk, ride, scoot, or skate to school later this month as part of an initiative promoting active transport.

National Ride2School Day was established by Bicycle Network and the program is expected to see more than 350,000 kids participating on Friday, 24 March.

CEO Alison McCormack said the initiative has been showing primary students the benefits in active transport since 2006.

“When children have actively travelled, they’re healthier but they’re actually ready to learn better,” she said.

“There’s actual statistics out there that tell us it’s better than eating breakfast and once you put that context into that I think parents would think ‘why shouldn’t I give this opportunity to my children?’.”

Teachers and kids at Newington Primary School will participate in the program for the first time this month, and grade 5 student Tom Shillington said he’s excited to get involved.

“Riding to school always feels so nice and I think you’re doing a good thing by helping the environment,” he said.

“I ride to school most days coming down from Vic Park. My mum rides with me part of the way. It’s always important to plan out which way you’re going to.”

Teacher, Shauna Hardy is leading the program at Newington Primary and said it’ll provide a springboard to lobby for safer infrastructure.

“There’s no footpaths, no crossing,” she said. “We’re hoping National Ride2School Day and our accompanying bike workshop will help our campaign to get the ball rolling on something.”