Active Travel

Benefits of walking and cycling

1. Reduce traffic congestion around the school and in parking.
2. Safer roads with less traffic
3. Children get their 30 minute of exercise daily.
4. Children become familiar with their neighbouring community.
5. Children gain independence and learn road safety skills.
6. Petrol costs are reduced.
7. In some cases, time is saved by walking or riding to school.

School Active Travel Plan

A School Travel Plan is a document that outlines how a school intends to make travel to and from their campuses safer and more sustainable for students, families and teachers.

The School Travel Plan can address local traffic issues around schools and encourage active, safe and sustainable travel methods, such as walking, cycling, scooting or public transport. The School Travel Plan should tie in with the school’s overall aspirations and is a document that should be monitored and regularly reviewed.

Using the principles of travel plans, a School Travel Plan kit has been developed for the schools in the City of Whittlesea. Resources have been created to assist schools in the development of their own travel plans.

Quarterly School Active Travel Network Meetings

Established in 2016, the Whittlesea School Active Travel Network allows schools to:

Share ideas on ways they’re encouraging school active travel
Troubleshoot shared challenges
Build relationships with council to tackle infrastructure and congestion issues proactively
Be informed of active travel events, grants and programs

Bicycle Network Active Paths

Active Paths are designated routes to school that have been identified in conjunction with the local council and the school community. They are designed to make the journey to school as clear, popular and fun as possible.

This provides the school community with a network of routes that allow all students to actively travel at least part of the way on their journey to school with great benefits:

Reduced traffic congestion outside the school
Students arrive alert and ready to learn
Students that actively travel contribute to their daily amount of physical activity.

The schools that have Active Paths are:

TravelSmart Maps

Recreational Trails

National and State-wide Initiatives

Many initiatives are run state and nationwide annually for schools and families to take part in. These challenge Victorians to get involved for fun and active experiences.

VicHealth’s Walk to School month and Premier’s Active April both provide schools and students the chance to win some grand prizes.

Rides and Events