Mount Lockyer Primary ready to make a move

28 March 2019

Finding ways to get to school without starting the car is the focus of a new partnership between Mount Lockyer Primary School and the City of Albany.

The Schools TravelSmart Project is a new initiative developed by the City of Albany, building on the previous involvement with the Department of Transport’s TravelSmart and Your Move programs. This time the focus is on working with school communities, starting with a Schools TravelSmart Officer working directly with Mount Lockyer Primary School.

Mount Lockyer Primary School Deputy Principal Paul Hockey has welcomed the opportunity to take some big steps forward.

“We are looking forward to being part of this initiative, and getting some really positive changes in the travel habits of our students and families. As well as it being a healthy part of the day for our students, more walking and cycling will also reduce the congestion and improve safety around the school at drop off and pick up times,” he said.

City of Albany Recreation Services Manager Samantha Stevens said that the Schools TravelSmart Program is a great way to highlight the benefits of using active transport to school to children, parents and the broader school community.

“It’s well known that there are far fewer kids walking or riding to school now than in their parents’ generation. This project provides an opportunity to look closely at why that is happening in the Mount Lockyer Primary School community, and come up with some innovative ideas to help turn that trend around,” she said.

If the recent Ride2School Day is any indication, the school community is ready to come on board in droves. A bike parade before school attracted more than 80 decorated bikes, with the streets around the school busy with students and their families riding their creatively dressed-up bikes to school to take part.