Kids to ride for their life

By Lia Bichel
STUDENTS across Australia can show their environmentally-friendly attitude by taking part in National Ride2School Day.
More than 100,000 Australian kids will celebrate the annual event at their school with healthy breakfasts, all-day cycling festivals, school parades and bike excursions.
The ‘Go for your life’ event is aimed at promoting physical activity as a means of transport which has proven benefits to a child’s health and wellbeing.
Ride2School events manager Mary Akiki said schools registered in the program have reported almost half of their students were actively getting to school either by riding, walking or by scooter.
“By actively getting to and from school, student’s daily physical activity increases significantly, which benefits their overall health and helps reduce the risk of obesity and associated health problems,” she said.
Keysborough College teacher and Ride2School co-ordinator Robert Sharp said students at the school would be taking part in the event. He said staff encouraged students to be environmentally- friendly through similar initiatives.
“We are a new school and encourage students to be active through the bicycle club, Hands Up survey and our ecological school principles,” he said.
“The survey tracks which students walk or ride to school, or take public transport.
“Keysborough College is a RED school, striving for Respect, Excellence and Diversity. Among other things, cycling allows students to feel connected to the college and forge friendships by riding with other students to school, students with differing backgrounds and areas of interest.”
It is free for schools to sign up and no cost need be involved on the day.
Log onto www.ride2school.com.au to sign up and receive a promotional kit.