Bicycle Network: Parents

As a parent, you are the most influential person in your child's life. They form their behaviour based on the activities that you encourage them to participate in,
and these behaviours are likely to extend well into their adult years.

So how do you help develop fit, active and healthy children? 

There are many different sports and after-school activities that your children are perhaps already involved with. However, if you were to incorporate healthy activities like bike-riding or walking for some or all of their journey to and from school, you'd be contributing significantly to your child's daily activity needs.

Consider that in addition to the exercise, children who actively travel to school are more prepared to learn because their minds have already had the jump-start for their morning activity. Just like you feel sluggish in the morning until you get your blood pumping, children are just the same and need to activate their brains to make the most of the day.

The Ride2School program is primarily focussed on the activities at schools, but we really know that the adult who will have the biggest impact is you, as a parent.  Whether your children currently walk or ride to school or you're considering making the change, the Ride2School team has answers to your questions and some handy tips to maximise the benefits of healthy active children!

It's important that we find ways to engage with parents and help them understand the positives of active travel, even if it's only part-way of the journey.

We are really keen to hear from you and about the impact you've had on helping to develop the active travel habits of your children.  Please email us with your thoughts, suggestions and feedback to ride2school@bicyclenetwork.com.au.