In Merri-bek, our streets belong to everyone who walks, rides, plays and drives. We want more children to feel safe, confident and able to walk or ride around their local neighbourhoods, and by 2030 we are aiming for 80% of all trips to our schools to be made via sustainable forms of transport; whether this be by foot, bike, scooter or public transport.
The Ride & Stride program is an innovative behaviour change program designed to get more kids riding, striding and scooting to school. By developing and fostering a culture of healthy, active travel in young people, the Ride & Stride program hopes to drive generational change towards a safer, more sustainable transport network in Merri-bek.
We work closely with schools to understand specific barriers to active travel in their local area and deliver a tailored suite of initiatives to encourage more walking and riding trips to and from the school gates.
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.
Free e-cargo bike loans
For families that live too far to walk or ride, we offer a number of free e-cargo bike loans so they can switch the car for a faster, healthier school run alternative. If they love the bike, they can then choose to continue after the trial on a low cost, weekly subscription.
Tag On technology
Using bluetooth tokens, kids ‘tag on’ at kiosks each morning selecting how they travelled to school that day, earning points for their house and points for travelling actively, and importantly allowing parents to receive an instant email notification that their child has arrived safely the moment their child tags on.
And more..
From cycle training for children, safe routes to school mapping and road safety incursions, 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
