Ride & Stride

Open Streets

For a short period during drop off and pick up times we open the street outside the school gates to walking, riding, scooting and play without car traffic, creating safe and healthy streets for families to arrive safely and sustainably. We have 5 local schools who run regular Open Streets, either monthly or termly – an Australian first!

E-cargo bike subsidies

Since 2021, we have provided almost 300 e-cargo bike subscription or purchase subsidies to local parents to ditch the car for the school run.

Switching from driving to riding an e-bike for the school run saves local families money and time on the morning commute, and it’s great for kid’s health and wellbeing.

Bike Buses

We support schools to set up their own Bike Bus – a bike bus is a group of families who ride to school in a group. It’s called a “bus” because there is a set route and timetable, so it can pick up more “passengers” along the way.

Biketober

Biketober is a month-long program held around the country in October. We support our local schools with leaderboards, weekly prizes and a Top Schools Prize for the most engaged school – an icecream bike! Students compete in weekly themed competitions focused on riding to school.

Dr Cranky’s

We work with Dr Cranky’s, a primary school-based bike recycle program that aims to ensure all kids have access to a working bike. Donated bikes are recycled and given to those that need them at participating schools, along with free helmets, locks and other bike accessories.

And more..

From free Bike Education training for school staff, School Crossing Supervisor road safety incursions, and Active Travel Rebates, we work with schools to deliver a range of other programs supporting families to get to school safely and sustainably.

To enquire about the Ride & Stride program, get in touch at zerocarbon@merri-bek.vic.gov.au

See reports from the first few years of developing our Ride & Stride program.