Children encouraged to walk safely to school
Published on 07 May 2019
Local children and families are encouraged to walk to and from school, or the school bus, on Friday, 17 May when National Walk Safely to School Day is celebrated nationally.
The annual event encourages primary school aged children to build walking into their daily routine by building confidence of families and children around safety.
Mayor Lorraine Learmonth said that the National Walk Safely to School Day initiative is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year, with the program continuing to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking – especially to and from school – can provide for the long-term wellbeing of children.
“We know that children love to walk, ride and scoot to school. Making sure our communities are safe places to build skills, confidence and independence helps support the establishment of lifelong healthy and safe habits,” Mayor Learmonth said.
Schools across the Gannawarra Shire are encouraged to register their participation in National Walk Safety to School Day by visiting www.walk.com.au/WSTSD before Monday, 14 May.
“Parents and guardians also have a critical role to play. From an early age parents are encouraged to talk to children about road safety and demonstrate how to Stop, Look, Listen and Think while out and about in the community,” Mayor Learmonth said.
“If walking or riding the whole way to school isn’t possible, why not park a few blocks away and encourage children to walk the rest of the way. Better still, children love it when their parents or guardians walk or ride to school with them.”