Fountain Gate Primary School students Tyler, Brendan and Leza get ready for National Ride2School Day. 27872 Picture: Meagan Rogers
RIDERS from Fountain Gate Primary School are gearing up for the most active day on the school calendar, National Ride2School Day.
Schools across the country will celebrate the day with healthy breakfasts, all-day cycling festivals, school parades and bike excursions on Wednesday 25 March.
The event provides an opportunity for students, parents and teachers to try walking and riding to school.
Maurice Mannix, the health and wellbeing co-ordinator at Fountain Gate Primary School, said the school was using the event to promote active transport.
Ms Mannix said many of the school’s 530 students already rode their bicycles and scooters to school.
The students will receive a certificate for participating in National Ride2School Day.
Dr Carolyn Whitzman, of Melbourne University, said that one-third of primary school students walked less than five minutes a day.
“Children who walk or cycle to school are more alert and ready to learn than children who are driven to school,” she said.
“A 30-minute cycle trip a day provides all the exercise required to halve the chance of becoming obese or diabetic.” For details visit www.ride2school.com.au
