Would you pass up a lift to ride your bike, or walk instead?

Well more than 350,000 students across Australia are doing just that by taking part in this year’s National Ride2School Day - 24 March, with the kids at Coburg North Primary leading the charge.

Gabby Young, Physical Education teacher at Coburg North Primary School said her students love riding, scooting and walking knowing they are helping the environment and improving their physical and mental health.

‘We are very proud to be reaching active travel rates of over 70% during Ride2School Day and during our Bicycle Network Open Streets trials,’ she said.

Coburg North is just one of 460 schools across the state that are letting their feet do the talking - using their bikes, scooters, skateboards, and roller blades to set new paths towards a more active start to the day.

Ride2School Day is part of the $1.4 million Government backed Ride2School Program run by Bicycle Network.

Since 2006, the Ride2School Program has encouraged thousands of students throughout Victoria to opt for pedal power and get active by riding and walking to school regularly.

In the case of Coburg North, Gabby said the school has developed a strong relationship with the Bicycle Network.

‘Through the Program, we have received bike parking and have introduced six different active paths, creating safe travel routes for our students to come to school,’ she said.

Ride2School Program initiatives range from bike skill sessions at schools to mapping safe routes and awareness activities, with government funding helping disadvantaged schools access the program so every child in Victoria has the opportunity for a healthy start to the school day.

It also promotes the importance of bicycle safety including wearing helmets when riding and keeping aware of other users of roads and footpaths.

By walking or riding to school, Victorian schools like Coburg North Primary are not only encouraging their students to choose active travel but are helping kids to achieve the goal of 60 minutes a day of activity for good health.

Schools participating in the Program also have approximately 13% more students walking and riding to school when compared to non-participating schools.

For more information about the Ride2School Program and how to get involved, visit Bicycle Network.