School bike plan to tackle obesity
October 20, 2006
THE Victorian Government will spend $4 million on a plan to encourage children to ride bikes to school as part of the continuing fight against childhood obesity.
Premier Steve Bracks said travel to school by car had trebled since 1970 and the new initiative would decrease traffic and would be good for kids. "I think it will make an enormous difference for the health and fitness and wellbeing of Victorian students," he said today.
The R2S program will provide grants to schools for bike sheds, as well as 4000 bikes for needy children.
Mr Bracks said it was part of the Government's plan to tackle childhood obesity and diabetes, and complemented other initiative such as the banning of lollies and soft drinks in school canteens.
Bicycle Victoria general manager Harry Barber said the program would reduce traffic, save petrol and give kids much needed exercise.
"All the education people say to us that kids who are fit and exercise do better," he said.
"But what's really going to drive it is pester power. Kids want to do it. We don't know of a single school that's tried to get walking and cycling going that has failed."
Mr Barber said the 4000 children selected for new bikes would have to demonstrate a serious commitment to routinely riding to school.
School bike plan to tackle obesity
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