Students across Hobsons Bay will be slipping on their sneakers to walk to school as part of an annual program to encourage active travel.
Council has teamed up with VicHealth in its mission to get kids walking, riding and scooting to school as part of 2019’s Walk to School Month, encouraging primary school children to walk to and from school during October.
Mayor of Hobsons Bay Cr Jonathon Marsden said that the benefits of active travel were well worth the effort.
“Walking to school has many benefits for individual families and the community as a whole,” said Cr Marsden.
“Getting out of the car and hitting the pavement helps children develop important road safety and travel skills. It also reduces the number of cars on the road around school drop-off and pick-up times.”
The Walk to School program is a free, easy and fun way for kids to get active and build healthy habits for life. In addition to the positive health outcomes, participating schools also go into the running to win some fantastic prizes, including a footy clinic at their school hosted by an AFL or AFLW player.
Cr Marsden said parents and carers could start small.
“Parents pressed for time could add one more active trip per week than usual or park away from the school and walk for a bit,” he said.
“Make it fun and meet up with other families along the way.”
Last year more than 140,000 kids from over 750 schools across Victoria took part in Walk to School, travelling the equivalent distance of two return trips to the moon.
“Our children are healthier and happier when they’re active every day, and walking to school is a great way to get their activity in,” said Cr Marsden.
