By NATALIE GALLENTI-BREKALO
STUDENTS across Melton are being encouraged to don their runners, hop on their bike and be a part of this year’s National Ride2School Day on Wednesday, 19 March.
Mayor Bob Turner said that riding, walking, scooting or skating to and from school were all great ways for children to get fit and healthy, and contribute to the 60 minutes of daily recommended physical activity for students.
“Council is committed to improving the health and well-being of our community and council’s road safety officer works closely with schools and the community to create safe ways for children to ride or walk to school,” Cr Turner said.
“Many of these kids are being driven relatively short distances to school, trips that could easily be taken by bike or on foot, and they are missing out on a great chance for some exercise.”
Cr Turner said that children who developed a healthy and active lifestyle when they were young were much more likely to maintain those habits in adulthood – something that was critical with obesity levels among adult Australians now reaching alarming levels.
National Ride2School Day is aimed at celebrating active travel within the school day and encouraging those who have not started to give it a go.
