Students from four local primary schools are walking, riding, scooting and rolling their way into a healthier school routine, thanks to the Kids Active Travel Program 2023–2025.
Called Walk, Ride, Scoot and Roll Geelong, the program aimed to increase opportunities for children to safely walk, ride and scoot to school – building confidence, independence and physical activity while making trips to school safer and more enjoyable.
Funded through a $110,000 grant from Sport and Recreation Victoria and $10,000 from the City of Greater Geelong, the program was delivered in partnership with Bellarine Community Health and with support from Active Geelong.
Over two years, the program worked with Leopold, Portarlington, St Leonards and Newcomb primary schools. Students were supported to use an active travel audit tool to identify barriers to active travel and come up with solutions.
Key outcomes:
- Infrastructure: three new bike sheds, 24 wayfinding signs, safe drop-off/pick-up points, and a 42 metre student-designed footpath mural (to be installed by the end of the year).
- Education & Skills: bike care and skills sessions for 177 students and three new teachers trained to teach Bike Education.
- Innovation: TagOn technology introduced at Leopold Primary School, Active Travel Tuesdays launched at Portarlington Primary School, and the City's first Bike Bus pilot at Newcomb Primary School.
- Community Reach: more than 1,600 students, staff and parents were involved.Thanks to this program's success, the City of Greater Geelong has secured more funding for 2025–2027. The program will expand to four Northern Bay P–12 College primary campuses and a new Active Travel Toolkit will support up to 80 primary schools across Greater Geelong.
Member for Bellarine Alison Marchant MP
It's fantastic to see Bellarine kids getting active on their way to school, whether that's on foot, on a bike or on a scooter.Turning the school run into an opportunity to move more is helping kids build healthy habits, without adding extra time to Bellarine families' busy routines.
Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Active travel isn't just about getting from A to B – it's about creating supportive environments, safer streets and stronger social connections between schools and families.It's fantastic to see students not only riding and scooting to school but also learning how to care for their bikes.
These hand-on skills build confidence and independence that will last beyond their school years.
Murradoc Ward Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD
Getting kids out in the fresh air while being SunSmart on their way to school is a simple way to boost physical and mental wellbeing.Programs like this strengthen friendships and help build healthier, more active communities from the ground up.
Healthy Communities Planner Hannah Walker from Bellarine Community Health
Each school did something a little different. Some used travel-friendly tech, built new bike sheds, ran bike repair and skills lessons, or had active travel signs put around town.The work we did this year will help students and families for years to come. We are thrilled to have been a delivery partner with the City of Greater Geelong.
