2017-06-06 - S&O Agenda Attachment 1 to Item 1 - Noosa Transport Strategy 2017-2027

Walk and Ride to School Program

Traffic congestion at drop off and pick up times is an issue for some schools in Noosa Shire.
Students being dropped off at school in the morning also coincide with people getting to work
which in turn creates traffic and congestion in some areas of the Noosa road network.

A Walk and Ride to School Program is a behaviour change program which encourages
parents, carers, and teachers to consider using alternatives to driving a car to school. These
include walking, cycling, scooters, skateboards, carpooling or catching a bus. Schools are
frequently catchment based, meaning many people live within a few kilometres of their school.

This makes it ideal to encourage walking or riding bikes and scooters. Active travel to school
may not be possible all the time, but replacing even one or two trips a week with a sustainable
mode can make a difference.

Benefits of a Walk and Ride to School Program:
    •    Reduces traffic congestion and parking issues around the school.
    •	Safety when students walk and cycle in a group or with a parent. Cars around the
       school gate pose a significant danger to students. Less cars makes the school a safer
       place.
    •	Increases physical activity. A Walk and Ride to School Program is a great initiative for
       health and well-being.
    •    Reduces greenhouse gas emissions associated with driving cars.
    •	People out and about walking and cycling create a sense of community and foster
       social interaction. This means people can keep an eye out for each others’ well-being.


           The weekday commute times could be eased greatly by encouraging children
          to cycle or walk to school. Most schools have good cycle paths running nearby –
                                        Your Say Respondent


Park and Walk/Ride to School days, class competitions, bicycle education, and national event
days could be part of the solution to address congestion around schools.

The focus will be on primary schools. Establishing healthy habits for travelling to and from
school at a young age will hopefully continue into high school. Schools will be invited to
participate through an expression of interest process.

The success of the program will be dependent on support from school communities, in
particular those schools that take ownership of the program to reduce traffic congestion and
create a safer, healthier more vibrant school environment.




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