Schools ready to RIDE and STRIDE

Published on 03 March 2016

Two local primary schools are putting their best foot forward, working with Healthy Together Mildura to develop a RIDE and STRIDE program for their students.

RIDE and STRIDE zones are designated places a short distance from the school, where parents can safely drop off their children at specific times and children walk or ride to and from school with other students also using the zone.

Red Cliffs Primary School and Irymple Primary School will pilot the zones until October this year and it is hoped other schools in the region will also get on board with the concept.

Community Portfolio Councillor Sharyon Peart said the RIDE and STRIDE program was developed to complement Vic Health’s Walk to School month, held in October each year.

“Healthy Together Mildura is keen to encourage active travel to school all year round. Walk to School month was a great time to float the idea with schools and parents and work together to come up with something that would benefit everybody.” Cr Peart said.

“There was a time when most children rode or walked to school. Now less than 20% of children travel to school that way. All the extra cars can cause issues at drop off and pick up times. It is hoped that the zones will not only increase children’s physical activity for the day, but also improve student and parent safety by reducing traffic congestion in school zones.”

Irymple Primary School Health & PE Specialist Dean Pettit said consultation with parents played a large role in the development of the program,

“If we want students to use the zones then it is important parents are on board.” Mr Pettit said. “We surveyed parents to gauge their support for the concept and asked for feedback on different models and zone locations. The feedback was so good that we decided to put in 3 zones to start with.”

Red Cliffs Primary School Principal Rod Beer, said the RIDE and STRIDE zone would complement the other physical activity initiatives promoted by the school.

“It’s important to encourage children to be active.” Mr Beer said. “We are always looking for ways to reinforce that message. Quite a number of our students already walk or ride to school along the Zone route. We hope having a dedicated drop off and pick up point will encourage more students to do the same.”

Healthy Together Mildura is funded by the Victorian Government and is a partnership between Mildura Rural City Council, Sunraysia Community Health Services and Northern Mallee Community Partnership.

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