Since 2006, the Ride2School Program has encouraged thousands of students throughout Victoria to get active by riding and walking to school regularly. Bicycle Network delivers the Ride2School Program, including the National Ride2School Day across Australia.

This year over 400 Victorian schools are expected to take part in Ride2School Day on 25 March - making their way to school in a way that keeps them active, energised and ready to learn at the start of the day.

The funding boost will support a range of initiatives from bike parking and bike education at schools to recognition and mapping safe paths that support the Ride2School Program. Funding will be prioritised for disadvantaged schools so every child in Victoria has the opportunity for a healthy start to the school day.

The Victorian Government’s support of the Ride2School Program is in addition to the $24.2 million Active Schools initiative that builds on existing programs and funding to boost support and resources for schools to get kids moving.

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

It is recommended that children are physically active at least one hour every day to be healthy. The $1.4 million injection of funding ensures Victorian schools can continue to help students to be active daily by walking or riding to school.

The Ride2School Program also promotes the importance of bicycle safety – wearing helmets when riding and keeping aware of other users of roads and footpaths.

For more information about the Ride2School Program, visit Bicycle Network.