Actively getting to school

Active-to-School logo

Our Active to School program encourages your students to walk, cycle, scoot – or any other physically active mode – to school. It promotes fitness, reduces traffic congestion, makes school streets safer and encourages sustainable transport.

By fostering these habits, decision makers at your school can reduce our community's carbon footprint while enhancing students' health and well-being.

About the program

  • 4-week program of fun, physically active activities with a focus on sustainable travel, including competitions and prizes.
  • Support from our Sustainable Transport Education Officer and other members of the Transport Team.
  • Safe walking route maps and footpath decals to the value of $6,000.
  • Posters, wall charts, curriculum links and prizes.
  • Information and participation in other programs, including sustainable transport grants and safe access audits.

The program is designed in a flexible format and can be delivered in any school term at a time that best suits your curriculum. Active to School can stand alone or be embedded with other school initiatives like fuel free Fridays.

Benefits to kids

  • Promotes mental and physical wellbeing.
  • Improves mood, self-esteem and concentration skills.
  • Enhances confidence and road safety awareness.
  • Builds connection with family, friends and neighbours.
  • Improves safety at drop-off and pick-up zones.
  • Contributes to a healthier environment.

Sample resources

The Active to School poster is provided to each participating school, printed on a large corflute and ready for you to display at your school entrance.

The Active to School poster is provided to each participating school, printed on a large corflute and ready for you to display at your school entrance.

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Our Safe Routes Maps highlight suggested ways to safely travel to and from school. These have been created individually for each Banyule Primary School.

Our Safe Routes Maps highlight suggested ways to safely travel to and from school. These have been created individually for each Banyule Primary School.

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The Classroom Chart is used to track students active travel to and from school and is a great way to collect data for house points as an example.

The Classroom Chart is used to track students active travel to and from school and is a great way to collect data for house points as an example.

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An example of footpath sticker that each participating school can choose to use.

An example of footpath sticker that each participating school can choose to use.

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An example of footpath decal artwork that each participating school can choose to have installed.

An example of footpath decal artwork that each participating school can choose to have installed.

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Get involved

We encourage all state and independent primary schools to get involved.

Start the program at your school

Contact us

The Active to School Newsletter is sent out each term and provides useful resources, news and celebrations of participating schools.

For any questions about the program or to sign up for the newsletter, contact the Transport Planning Team at activetravel@banyule.vic.gov.au

Maps and tools

Our TravelSmart maps show on and off-road cycling routes, bike repair stations, on-road bike lanes and informal cycling routes, as well as walking routes, public toilets, water fountains and public transport routes.

We have bike repair stations on key off-road shared paths in and at selected cycling destinations. Each station has a bike pump, wrenches, screwdrivers, allen keys and tyre levers for minor bike maintenance.

  • Ford Park, Bellfield
  • Ivanhoe Aquatic, Ivanhoe
  • Macleod Park, Macleod
  • Malahang Reserve, Heidelberg West
  • Warringal Parklands – outside Possum Hollow Playground, Heidelberg
  • Waterdale Road pocket park, Ivanhoe
  • Wilson Reserve Trail, Ivanhoe
  • Yallambie Park, Yallambie

Rules and safety

Safe riding information is available from Transport for Victoria, including tips for riding with kids.

 

Victorian Legal Aid has a guide to road rules for bike riders.

Events

Be on the look out for Ride2School Day, hosted by Bicycle Network every March, and Walk Safely to School Day, an annual event where school children are encouraged to walk and commute safely to school in May.

 

The Transport Planning Team runs multiple bike skills events throughout the year, focusing on:

  • bike maintenance
  • individual cycling ability
  • riding with confidence in urban areas.
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