Bicycle Network: Volunteers

Julie Gatt from Plenty Parklands Primary School showed Ride2School how to run a mini RACV Great Victorian Bike Ride. 

The classroom teachers did seven lessons of theory in seven weeks. The school then culminated the theory with two days of practical lessons where the students did three sessions each day, with the last two sessions being an obstacle course and The Great Mill Park Road Ride!

On The Great Mill Park Road Ride the school had three parent helpers as riders and another three as observers at checkpoints around the road. One parent assisted by driving the safety car behind the riders. On the road ride itself they had two police officers, Maureen from Ride2School's Volunteer Program as well as three teachers.

The Great Mill Park Road Ride was conducted as part of two activities in two groups, which alternated with an in-school obstacle course/games on bikes activity back at school with two other teachers.

Julie Gatt said the benefits to the students were endless, not to mention that they had "over 60 bikes in our bike shed after the bike education program” and that “each child who participated constantly had a smile on their face."

Ride2School spoke to Maureen, a Ride2School volunteer dedicated to assisting schools with riding and walking. Maureen's post-event thoughts were that it “went terrific. It was a credit to the teachers and completely beneficial for everyone.” Being a ‘mother duck’ at the back of The Great Mill Park Road Ride group, Maureen led as a support and helper to maintain control.

Maureen recommended other schools thinking about running a similar fun-filled event to "pick quiet streets and intersections” and feels it is a “good experience for the kids” as it is a “benefit to gain confidence on roads, where everyone was enthusiastic about it.”

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