The Tasmanian Government has announced funding of $100,000 for Bicycle Network’s Ride2School program to run across the state during the 2015-16 financial year.
The program compliments the existing Move Well, Eat Well Program that has 172 Tasmanian schools involved in a range of healthy eating and healthy activity modules. Schools can use Ride2School program to satisfy their Ride and Stride component of Move Well, Eat Well.
Bicycle Network welcomed the adoption of its program, pointing out that “Physical inactivity is rife across Tasmania with Australian Bureau of Statistics figures showing children spend 16 hours a week watching TV on average. Without being regularly active, they’re increasing their risk of dying at a younger age than their parents from diseases (Type2 Diabetes, cancers and heart disease) that can be prevented by getting active.”
Bicycle Network’s General Manager of Behaviour Change, Chris Carpenter, said, “This is a positive step for Tasmania towards their goal of becoming the healthiest state in Australia by 2025. The main thing is not the money but that another state has adopted the Ride2School program and its blueprint for creating a new generation of people with a habit of active travel.”
Bicycle Network Tasmania Adviser Emma Pharo said, “Schools participating in Bicycle Network’s Ride2School program will learn about bike safety skills as well as the importance of being active. The program will teach students proper helmet fitting, road crossing and bike handling skills and collaborative route planning. Ride2School also works with teachers, students and parents across local communities to identify barriers to riding and tries to encourage the whole community to get active.”
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