Lalor Primary School is amongst hundreds of schools gearing up for National Ride2School Day on Friday, March 25.
The initiative is run by the Bicycle Network and designed to support schools in encouraging students to get physically active.
Lalor Primary physical education teacher Rebecca Thorpe is impressed with the pupils’ growing involvement with the program.
“I think the first year we ran it, we probably only had about 10 kids ride to school and last year, we had about 60 kids ride to school. It’s been growing more and more every year,” she said.
The school has been promoting Ride2School Day in the lead up to the day to get pupils excited.
“We set up some activities at lunchtime and make a loop around the school and kids do parade riding, skating and scooting.”
“It’s amazing how much it’s grown and how much fun kids have riding to school.”
Ms Thorpe believes it’s important for children to get involved to get in some daily exercise.
“You’ve done some exercise without even realising and you can see your neighbourhood, you can get to know your neighbours and have a chat with your family while you’re riding to school.”
As well as encouraging a healthy lifestyle, the program teaches ride safety.
“I think by having a Ride2School Day and encouraging kids to really ride, to wear a helmet, that’s a big one it highlights.”
Helena Abdou
