Independent kids are healthy kids

There is lots of evidence which demonstrates that children which have the freedom to travel independently are fitter, happier, and more well adjusted than kids which are driven everywhere.

The loss of autonomous mobility for children has been one of the most dramatic changes of the last two generations. Not only deprives this kids of incidential physical activity but they are less likely to know their neighbourhood, learn skills to deal with traffic, get to to know friends and neighbours and learn to be independent.

Did you know that kids who cycle or walk to school are more alert and ready to face the school day than if they have been sitting in the car? Research is also beginning to suggest that educational achievement improves in line with increases in levels of physical activity (California Department of Education).

For kids to be safe and comfortable it is important that they have

Most primarly school children live within 5km of their local school and recreation facilities, an ideal cycling distance. Cycling is three times faster than walking, and you can cover three times the distance for the same expenditure of effort as walking and heavy school bags are easier carried on a bike than on the back.  Most states have now 40km speed limits around school to slow down traffic and alert drivers to watch out for children. If more children are cycling and walking to school, there will be also less traffic around schools as most of the traffic is actually generated by parents dropping their kids off. This will improve safety even further.

Around Australia there are many programs which are working with schools, parents and local government to encourage more kids to cycle and walk to school and improve safety around schools. If you want more information on programs in your state This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it