National Ride2School Day is on Friday 17 March, and is coordinated nationally by bike advocacy group Bicycle Network.

National Ride2School Day is an opportunity for Northern Territory students and school communities to embrace a healthier start and to try walking and riding to school for themselves.

Riding is a fun and healthy way to get to school. Students and their families are encouraged to leave the car at home on this day and get a taste of the benefits, ease and fun involved in choosing to walk and wheel to school.

17 schools from across the Territory are registered to participate. Schools are registered in Alice Springs, Palmerston, Darwin and Batchelor as well as more remote schools in Warruwi, Yulara and Urapunga.

Cycling to school reduces traffic congestion around schools, improves our health the environment and communities and travelling actively to school builds children’s confidence, independence, self-esteem and social skills.

Nightcliff Primary School has shown leadership in promoting Ride2School Days every month as a healthy and active way to get to school.

The school as part of a Road Safety Community Grant have implemented ACTIVEpaths path markers to assist students in following the safest routes to school.

The Department of Infrastructure, Planning and Logistics will support Nightcliff Primary School’s Ride2School Day event with Hector the Road Safety Cat greeting students as they arrive at school.

Nightcliff Primary and Middle schools, St Paul’s Catholic Primary and Essington Schools are working together to promote active transport to school.

Road safety messages for children riding a bike include:

• Always wear a correctly fitted and fastened bicycle helmet
• Make sure your bicycle is in good working order with reflectors, brakes that work, and a bell
• When riding at night or in dark conditions, make sure you use a front and rear light
• Always wear bright coloured clothing
• Cross roads using pedestrian crossings where provided.

Media contact: Simone Phasey 8924 7028