Tuesday, 9 August 2022

BIKE EDUCATION FOR HUNDREDS OF BALLARAT STUDENTS

Students at Mount Clear Primary School will develop the confidence and skills they need to ride safely to school thanks to the Andrews Labor Government’s Community Road Safety Grants.

Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle said 260 students will take part in a new bicycle safety program that will teach them practical skills, bike maintenance, and road safety rules relating to cyclists and shared paths.

The program enables students to gain an understanding of road rules and traffic environments, developing the skills to navigate road traffic safely and make responsible decisions. 

Practical sessions will utilise bicycle tracks and roads around the school to enhance riding skills and support a ride to school program. A safer cycling session will be delivered to staff as part of the program.

Almost $146,000 has been invested across the Grampians region this year as part of the $1.5 million Community Road Safety Grants Program which deliver targeted education programs and provide local solutions to local road safety concerns.

More than 30 local initiatives across Western Victoria have been funded including bike education and skills workshops, pedestrian safety lessons for students, motorised scooter safety classes and road safety education addressing distraction, vehicle safety and high-risk driver behaviour.

For more information on the programs, please visit the VicRoads website: vicroads.vic.gov.au/safety-and-road-rules/road-safety-programs/vicroads-community-road-safety-grants-program/standard-grants-program

Quote attributable to Member for Buninyong Michaela Settle

“Our Community Grants bring lifesaving messages to people of all ages – encouraging them to be safe on our roads whether they’re walking, riding, or driving.

I am so pleased that 260 students at Mount Clear Primary School will take part in practical and theory bike safety sessions, encouraging them to ride to and from school – and feel confident doing so.”

Quote attributable to Mount Clear Primary School Principal Cameron Landry

“We are excited to receive the grant to improve our bike programs. The grant will allow us to improve our facilities to cater for more students to travel to and from school on their bikes.

We are lucky to have good bike paths near our school and want to encourage more active travel to school. This will improve the health and well-being of students and also the traffic congestion that occurs around our school.

We aim to create a community of bike riders. We had over 175 students who rode to school on ride to school day and to be able to cater for more riders will support this aim.”