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Skate, scoot and ride to school

Bass Coast Shire Council encourages schools and families to take part in Ride2School Day this Friday, 17 March and experience the benefits of a happier, healthier, more active commute.

By Portal Admin - 15th March 2017 - Back to News

National Ride2School Day is the perfect opportunity for Bass Coast students to embrace a healthier lifestyle by changing how they get to school and including a bike, scooter, skateboard, or walking. Bass Coast Shire Council encourages schools and families to take part in Ride2School Day this Friday, 17 March and experience the benefits of a happier, heathier, more active commute.

Riding to school is strongly supported in Bass Coast. Each year Council applies for funding to provide bike education and refresher training to teachers, police and community volunteers. The funding is provided through VicRoads' Community Road Safety Partnership and coordinated through the Bass Coast Community Road Safety Committee. These bike education programs teach road rules and safety as pedestrians and cyclists, providing our children and young people with the skills and knowledge to safely ride to and from school and daily activities.

The Phillip Island Bicycle Users Group are working closely with Cowes Primary and Newhaven Primary on their Ride2School day activities and will provide escort riders to help students get to school safely. Victoria Police and Council are supporting schools by providing additional patrols in school zones to increase safety, and Council have provided riding/scooting/walking maps to some schools to help children plan a route to get to school safely.

Bass Coast Mayor, Cr Pamela Rothfield, said that the advocacy from local Schools and Victoria Police, and the support provided through bike education programs are paramount in encouraging healthy lifestyles and developing a strong and active community.

"The benefits of riding, scooting or walking for children include improving fitness, friendships, and their confidence." Cr Rothfield said.

"It’s a free, practical and fun way for children to get more active, and is also a great way to spend quality time with your children. If riding the whole way to school isn’t feasible, parking a few blocks away and walking or scooting the rest of the way is still a great way to get involved."

With potentially more kids riding, scooting or walking to school, Council are also asking all drivers to pay special attention around schools during drop-off and pick-up times. Council and Victoria Police will be monitoring school crossings and driver behaviour generally around schools during coming weeks to promote safer behaviour around schools.



Jenson and Anabelle Bremner are excited to take part in National Ride2School Day on Friday, 17 March 2017 under the watchful eye of School Crossing Supervisor, Judy Hughes.

For more information contact:

Simone Short

media communications officer

t (03) 5671 2703 | f (03) 5671 2222 | m 0400 804 187

e simone.short@basscoast.vic.gov.au

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: support@gippsland.com