The Cardinia Shire Council Mobile March initiative saw over 3400 students from 13 local primary schools walking, riding, scooting and skating to and from school as much as they could during the month of March.
Participating schools included Bayles, Beaconsfield, Bunyip, Emerald, Garfield, Lang Lang, Nar Nar Goon, Officer, Pakenham Hills, Pakenham Consolidated, Pakenham Springs, St Patrick’s and Upper Beaconsfield primary schools.
Council’s Active Children’s Officer Kate Beveridge said a ‘hands up’ class tally was taken every day by every class to record numbers.
Mobile March formed part of Cardinia Shire Council’s Streets Ahead initiative. The project aimed to increase physical activity in children aged 4–12 years, teaching and encouraging them to safely walk, ride, scoot, skate and take public transport around their community.
Council also supported National Ride2School Day 2012 during Mobile March and encouraged schools to do the same.
Ms Beveridge said active transport was a great way for children to achieve at least 60 minutes of physical activity per day.
“The benefits of active transport are endless. Students who walk or ride to school are found to be more awake and alert than those who do not. Active transport is an important part of education and the development of social skills,” Ms Beveridge said.
