The City is calling on all Gold Coast schools to help create a more healthy and connected community by jumping onboard the successful Active School Travel program.
The free school program is in its 10th year and in that time has seen 37 schools successfully participate, leading to a steady increase in active travel each year.
In 2021 alone, all nine participating schools saw consistent increases in students walking, cycling, scooting or carpooling, with about 30 per cent travelling actively to school.
This resulted in the reduction of approximately 330,000 car trips and 5,000,000 vehicle kilometres travelled across participating schools.
“With today being National Ride2School Day, we saw this as a great opportunity to highlight the incredible efforts of our Active School Travel participants and the difference they are making for the community,” said Acting Mayor Donna Gates.
“While the 2022 program is underway, we encourage all schools to consider their involvement in this program for the 2023 calendar and do their bit for student health and the environment.”
There are 11 schools registered for the 2022 program and they will be welcomed at the Principal’s breakfast hosted by City of Gold Coast in May.
A new addition to this year’s program is the Active School Travel High School pilot program which will give older students the chance to undertake their own research and promotional activities to encourage active travel in their community.
Participating schools receive resources including toolkits, incentives and support to enable students, parents, carers and teachers to swap cars for walking, cycling or public transport.
National Ride2School Day is being held across the Coast today.
The Active School Travel program will support and host events each month including the National Walk Safely to School Day in May.
It is one of many programs encouraging active travel across the city, with another important City initiative being the free bike workshops to build skills and confidence as a rider.
Schools interested in registering for the 2023 Active School Travel Program on our website.
