Primary school students are being given a running start in 2024, as the NSW Government today announces a new $10 million Active Transport to School program to encourage children to safely walk, scoot or ride their bikes to school.
The program will fund small projects in walking, scooting and bike riding catchments around public schools, making it easier and safer for kids to travel to school.
It will deliver upgrades including wider footpaths, safer crossings and new street trees over the next 2 years.
Data shows only 25% of NSW school children currently walk or ride to and from school, down from 75% 40 years ago, meaning less incidental exercise for kids and more traffic outside the school gates.
The initial $10 million fund will widen footpaths, upgrade the quality of crossings and plant shady street trees in areas surrounding schools. Funding for individual Active Travel to School projects will range from $50,000 to $800,000 with projects being delivered within 2 years.
To help parents and carers to encourage their children to walk or bike ride to school, the NSW Government is also looking at incentives and educational programs that promote the benefits of active transport and how to safely walk or ride to school.
Whatever way you travel, it’s important to prepare for your return to school.
Drivers are reminded that school zones will be back in force around primary and secondary schools on Tuesday 30 January. School zones are clearly marked with flashing lights and school zone signs.
School zones are generally in place from 8 to 9:30am and from 2:30 to 4pm, and motorists who don’t obey the rules face heavy fines and demerits.
For students catching public transport, student Opal cards will also activate on the first day of term. Parents and students travelling to a new school for the first time can plan their trip using school trip planner.
In the final few days before school returns, the Department of Education and Transport for NSW recommend practising travelling to and from school with your child, to take the stress out of day 1.
NSW Premier Chris Minns said:
“When I was at school, I remember walking there with my sister and we want more children right across NSW to have that opportunity, just like we had.
“No matter how you travel, we’re committed to making it as easy and as safe for every child in our state to get to and from school.
“These funds will play a critical role in funding small projects that otherwise go ignored, that will make a huge difference for children that walk and ride to school.
“With thousands of new students travelling to school for the very first time this week, it’s more important than ever for all users of our public transport system and roads to take extra care.”
Deputy Premier and Minister for Education and Early Learning Prue Car said:
“It is important we invest in improving safety around our public schools.
“While walking or riding to school is not an option for every family, the NSW Labor Government is committed to encouraging it where possible.”
Minister for Roads John Graham said:
“We urge motorists to slow down and watch out for children in school zones as the new school year begins. School zones are clearly marked with flashing lights and signs.
“Children are some of our most vulnerable pedestrians and their safety should be everyone’s top priority. Kids can be unpredictable and they are still developing their road sense so it’s critical that anyone driving in school zones does so without any distraction and an eye out for children.
“Obey the speed limit and be vigilant when you’re driving near bus stops, school crossings and Kiss and Ride Zones where children are often present. Motorists who don’t obey these rules face heavy fines and demerits.
“Remember, no matter where you are on the road – even outside school zones – if you see bus lights flashing, you need to slow down to 40km/h as the bus is picking up or dropping off children.”
Minister for Transport Jo Haylen said:
“The benefits for children walking or riding a bike to school are enormous. It provides independence, improves health and self-confidence, and sets lifelong sustainable travel habits patterns.
“When fewer school kids are being driven to school, it also helps to alleviate congestion on the road network.
“That’s why, as part of our most recent budget, we put an additional $10 million to the Get NSW Active program to specifically deliver projects within walking catchments to primary schools.
“Upgraded and wider footpaths, quality crossings and more trees are some of the initiatives available for funding. They’re small changes that have a big impact as we work to provide a safer and more comfortable walk or ride to and from school for kids and parents.
“These projects will be delivered by councils, who have applied for funding in consultation with their local schools.”