Students, parents and school communities across Greater Geelong are encouraged to get ready for National Ride2School Day on Friday 20 March 2026, Australia's biggest celebration of active travel.
Run nationwide by Bicycle Network, the Ride2School program helps schools inspire more students to ride, walk, scoot or skate as part of their daily trip. More than 350,000 students are expected to take part across the country.
The City of Greater Geelong is calling on local schools to register early and make the most of the resources available to help build excitement and prepare their students for a fun, colourful and active day.
Greater Geelong Mayor Stretch Kontelj OAM
Active travel is one of the easiest ways for children to reach their recommended 60 minutes of daily physical activity.Ride2School Day brings whole communities together in a positive way and is a chance for families to discover how enjoyable and achievable active travel can be.
New national research from the Australian School Travel Survey (2025) shows that 61 per cent of school trips are now made by car, while only 21 per cent involve active travel. Ride2School Day aims to turn this around by making active travel fun, visible and supported.
Locally, the City saw positive results from the Walk, Ride, Scoot and Roll Geelong program, delivered with Bellarine Community Health and supported by Active Geelong. Backed by a $110,000 Sport and Recreation Victoria grant and $10,000 from the City, the initiative introduced creative ways for children to be more active in their daily travel.
In 2025, four primary schools took part, including Newcomb Primary School's bike bus pilot and the 'Ocean Water Way' footpath mural at St?Leonards Primary School, co-designed with artist Carla Gottgens.
Building on this success, the City has secured further funding for 2025–2027 to extend active travel support to four Northern Bay P–12 College primary campuses and roll out a new Active Travel Toolkit to help up to 80 primary schools boost participation in initiatives such as Ride2School.
Health portfolio chair Councillor Rowan Story AM, RFD
Students who arrive at school active and energised are more focused and ready to learn.Fewer cars at the school gate also means safer and less congested environments for everyone.
This program helps build confidence, independence and road awareness in young people, which are skills they carry for life.
Schools can register now for National Ride2School Day and access resources at: bicyclenetwork.com.au/rides-and-events/ride2school/
