Emerald Primary School children Jarrod, Cassie and Jessica get active for Ride2School Day.By Tania Martin
HILLS children dug out their bikes and helmets last week for Ride2School Day.
The day, on Wednesday 12 March, was a way for youngsters to get active and either ride their bikes or walk to school.
Ride2School Day is a State Government initiative which aims to increase the number of students walking and riding to school and to promote physical activity.
At Emerald Primary School the students jumped at the opportunity to ride their bikes.
School principal Mark Carver said the number of students riding to school had almost tripled for that day.
He said there were usually only three or four students who rode to school but the shelter shed had been filled with bikes last Wednesday.
Mr Carver said it was fantastic seeing the students embracing the day and getting active.
Knox City councillor Mick Van de Vreede also got behind the day, encouraging parents to leave their cars at home and jump on a bike instead.
Cr Van de Vreede said Ride2School Day was a fun and social way of easing the pressures on the environment by allowing kids to exercise with friends at the same time.
“If more people were to use a bike instead of a car, we would see a significant reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and people will notice the benefits to their health,” he said.
Cr Van de Vreede said Ride2School Day was a great way to combat the rise of childhood obesity by getting kids active.
“Research shows that kids who exercise before school are more alert, happier and healthy,” he said.
Schools across the Hills and foothills took part in the day.
