Healthy turnout on wheels

WHEELS will be spinning and legs turning next week for the Bicycle Network’s National Ride2School Day.
Students from Pakenham Hills Primary School will be riding to school and teacher Paul Taylor said it should be a great morning.
The school has been involved in the awareness day for five years and usually has close to 40 students ride from one of the two drop-off points.
“It’s about the kids not being dropped off by car and getting some more exercise,” Mr Taylor said.
Ride2School team manager, Miss Kelly Pearson says that encouraging students to ride to school makes them more self-sufficient and is a crucial part of education and the development of social skills.
“Students who ride to school arrive energised and alert, resulting in higher concentration times than those who don’t,” Miss Pearson said.
“These students increase the time they devote to physical activity which helps reduce the risk of obesity and associated health problems.”
The success of the Ride2School program and its positive impact on students’ health is evident in the numbers. With the rising rate of obesity and inactivity levels in children, Miss Pearson hopes all schools commit to supporting a healthier lifestyle.
“National Ride2School Day allows the school community to embrace riding as a viable and sustainable transport alternative,” she said.
“By not only celebrating National Ride2School Day, but making riding a normal part of the school day through the support of our Ride2School program, schools are making their community a healthier one.”
For more information about Ride2School, visit: www.bicyclenetwork.com.au/ride2school