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Ride2School – 28 March

Bass Coast Shire Council is encouraging students to ride, walk, skate or scooter to school on March 28 for Ride2School Day.

By Bass Coast Shire Council - 27th March 2007 - Back to News

Four local primary schools are so far taking part the Day, including Inverloch, Wonthaggi (Billson Street), Newhaven and Cowes Primary Schools.

They will be joined by thousands of other students, parents and teachers around the country and in the United Kingdom.

The Ride2School program is being run by Bicycle Victoria.

Council’s Walking School Bus Facilitator, Don Turner said Ride2School Day is a chance for brand new riders, parents and teachers to experience riding and walking to school for the first time.

"Apart from the immediate improvement in fitness, there are long-term health benefits for kids," said Mr Turner.

"There are community health benefits as well, with fewer carbon emissions around schools.

"There is also less traffic around schools as the streets are re-claimed by pedestrians and cyclists," continued Mr Turner.

Mr Turner said there is also a social benefit for the students.

"The children are riding with their mates instead of being stuck in a car," said Mr Turner.

"It’s another way of developing friendships."

Harry Barber, CEO of Bicycle Victoria, says: "Riding or walking to school makes more sense than ever today".

"From a medical point of view it makes sense. Children, doctors tell us, need one hour a day of exercise. They also tell us that today’s kids aren’t doing an hour a day. We know that school sport on its own isn’t enough. Ride2School will build exercise into kids’ daily routine and put them back in front," he added.

"From an education point of view it makes sense – well exercised kids do better at school work. We know it’s hard for kids to get going in the morning. Riding to school gets the day off to a good start," Mr Barber said.

"That’s why we say to parents – ‘If you drop your kids off, you’re letting them down,’" Mr Barber added.

Ride2School Day is part of the key activities of Bicycle Victoria’s Ride2School Program that help break down the barriers to more students riding and walking more often.

As part of the program, Bicycle Victoria will work with schools to install bike sheds, identify quiet neighbourhood routes, help children learn how to ride and look after their bike and help reduce the congestion of school traffic clogging Victorian streets. Currently 18% of traffic at morning peak hour is parents driving their kids to school.

Harry Barber said: "Children are busting to get themselves to school. They enjoy the grown up responsibility of the trip, leaving on time and knowing the way. They enjoy the freedom and independence of the trip, enjoying the sights – being in control".

Bicycle Victoria is aiming to change the habits of 250 000 children in upper primary and lower secondary schools. The Ride2School program will get 34 000 kids out of Mum’s taxi and into riding or walking to school at least once a week.

For more information on Ride2School Day visit www.bv.com.au or phone Council’s Walking School Bus Facilitator, Don Turner, on 5671 2211 or 5951 3311.


Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com



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