Students from 11 primary schools on the Sunshine Coast in Queensland have recorded 203,102 trips to school by bike and scooter, covering 349,851km between them, through a government and privately funded active travel initiative.
The incentive was an initiative called RideScore – a partnership between We Ride Australia and the Sunshine Coast Council, was supported by the Australian and Queensland governments, and Stockland Development – that encouraged 2600 students to change their school travel patterns.
RideScore uses Bluetooth sensors to send real-time notifications to parents and carers when children arrive at, or depart from, school on their bikes or scooters.
A study by Deakin University found the initiative created a 55% increase in students travelling actively to school and has saved almost 60 tonnes of CO2 emissions since it began in 2022.
Sunshine Coast Council's councillor Jenny Broderick congratulated the schools on their impressive achievement.
“By encouraging children to take two wheels, the program promotes physical activity and has led to increased confidence, independence and social interaction, contributing to their overall well-being.
“One of the things parents have said they like most is the peace of mind the App gives them with real-time notifications on when their child arrives and leaves school,” she says.
Or become our friend and subscribe to receive our fortnightly newsletter.