Schools get kids wheely active

Tomorrow marks the eighth National Ride2School Day with more than 250,000 Australian students expected to ride, walk, scoot or skate to school to promote an active travel culture.

St Joseph’s School in Busselton are getting on board with the national initiative, which coincides with a free-dress day and celebration for St Joseph’s Day, a Catholic feast day.

St Joseph’s assistant principal and sport teacher Ben Priest said most of the school from Years 1 to 7 were expected to participate.

“We have three bike racks around the school and during the summer months 30 to 40 students ride, skate or walk with their parents to school already, ” he said.

Mr Priest said riding to school was a good way for students to stay fit and healthy and contributed to the recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity for children.

“It also eases traffic congestion around the school and gets brains active so students arrive alert and attentive to start lessons, ” he said.

The Ride2School Program is a national initiative designed to make riding, walking, skating and scooting the normal mode of transport for students to get to school.

The Ride2School Day on aims to encourage active travel more widely within school communities.

Dunsborough Primary School is also registered to take part on Wednesday.