Primary school students across the region will be walking, scooting and riding their bikes to school thanks to a program encouraging active travel.
The state government’s Kids Active Travel Program will support kids from primary schools in St Leonards, Leopold and Newcomb in walking or riding to school.
Member for the Bellarine Alison Marchant said the program inspired healthy lifestyles for young people across the region.
“This new program will help local Bellarine kids get active before and after school by riding, walking or scooting to and from school,” she said.
“Incorporating exercise into the daily school trip will help kids learn healthy habits without adding a lot of time into Bellarine families’ busy schedules.”
The program will support primary schools in disadvantaged areas with initiatives like travel-friendly technology and facilities, including bike parking, storage, safety education programs and signage.
Minister for Community Sport Ros Spence said results from the program would inform active travel initiatives at other schools across the state.
“The new Kids Active Travel Program will help families in disadvantaged communities break the habit of driving to school and empower kids to get active more often,” she said.
“We’re determined to reverse the trend of one in four kids not getting enough exercise. Walking, scooting or riding a bike to school is a great active way for kids to start the day.”
The program will follow initiatives in the state budget to get young people moving throughout the day, such as Active Schools and the Get Active Kids Voucher Program.
