Active travel for the return to school

As coronavirus restrictions gradually begin to ease and face-to-face learning resumes, now’s the perfect time to re-think the way our kids travel to school. 

Walking, riding or scooting to school can help everyone – it’s great for our health, the environment and our community.  

VicHealth is encouraging families to think of active travel as their first choice, if it’s possible to do so.  

Encouraging walking, riding or scooting may ease congestion of drop off zones around your local area, which will help everyone maintain physical distancing.   

Walking, riding or scooting to school instead of driving also helps us ease traffic on our roads and reduce numbers on public transport. 

We’re modifying how we deliver Walk to School and other active travel programs in 2020, and we’ll share these plans with you as soon as we can. In the meantime, you can still make an impact within your community by sharing these important messages. 

Our top tips for active travel:  •    Maintain physical distancing while walking/scooting/riding to school by ensuring your family travels at least 1.5 metres away from others.  •    Familiarise yourself with the new protocols. Your school may have different drop off times and locations for different year levels.   •    Take it in turns. Many other parents in your school community will be working from home right now, so you could try taking it in turns to walk/ride/scoot to school with the kids.  •    Set a good example by continuing to walk or cycle to local places, including school or the shops.  •    Part way is OK! Remember if the walk to school is too far, you can park a few blocks from the school and walk the rest of the way.   

Visit walktoschool.vic.gov.au for more tips and information.