The educational cycling initiative was introduced by Sutherland Shire Council and the state's Education Department to instil capability and confidence in young riders, while also boosting their understanding and awareness of road safety, as well as cycling skills.
Mayor of Sutherland Carmelo Pesce said the council was keen to make children more road safety conscious, while also promoting active transport. He added:
“This pilot project not only educates young people on road safety awareness and the health and environmental benefits of active transport use, it also aims to break the pattern of young people relying on parents to drive them to school or social activities, over distances that can be cycled or walked.”
Flyer printing campaigns have often been undertaken to alert parents to school initiatives such as Cycle to School.
The programme, which was also successfully trialled at two other Sutherland Shire schools in 2018 with 320 students participating, will be run over eight weeks. Parents are being urged to support their children by decreasing their dependency on vehicles to get to school and encouraging them to use their bicycles instead.
Professional cycling training representatives from the locally based Complete Cycle Coaching will facilitate the project, which is set to provide children taking part with important, lifelong skills and a more active lifestyle.