Bicycle Network: National Ride2School Day

Quick links:

Letter to parents

Volunteers

Getting support from local business

Support from Local council or Member of Parliament

How local police can be involved

Letter to parents and fact sheets

Parents in your school community have a strong influence on how active your studetts are, and consequently are key in getting more students riding, walking, skating and scooting on your Ride2School Day.  We have included a template letter that you can send to parents to let them know about your plans for National Ride2School Day. 

• Download the template letter to parents

Volunteers

Volunteers are invaluable in supporting you and ensuring your school community gets the most from your National Ride2School Day, by performing a number of key tasks, such as:

• Accompany students on their ride / skate / walk to and from school
• Being stationed as guides along bike paths to your school
• Prepare and host a healthy breakfast for students upon their arrival
• Assist with bike parking and storage
• Assist with bike maintenance checks
• Coordinate bike activities
• Assist the student organising committee (if you have one) in getting support from local businesses

National Ride2School Day 2012 - Volunteer request

If you would like assistance at your school, from a Ride2School Volunteer, for National Ride2School Day 2012, please click the button below to complete a short survey (6 questions, 3 minutes), outlining your requirements.  We will get back to you as soon as possible thereafter.

Request assistance

National Ride2School Day 2012 - Parents as Volunteers

Involving the school community (parents/ guardians/ family and friends of students) is an ideal way to gain support with National Ride2School Day. The list of possible opportunities is endless!  Sign up your keen school community members to help out, and we'll lighten the load for you by contacting them direct to find out their skills, requests and what they might need support with.  We'll provide information, advice and resources so that they can help you make your National Ride2School Day the biggest and best to date.

Sign-up parents

Getting support from local business

Here are a few ideas on which local businesses to approach for support:

• Retailers – ask if they would like to donate products or services for your school to use as prizes in a raffle or competition. Great places would be your local bike shop or sporting goods store. Use the Bicycle Network Victoria Bike Shop Finder to locate your nearest bike shop.

• Local fruit shop, bakery or even the supermarket – ask if they would like to donate healthy snacks for students to have when they arrive at school on National Ride2School Day

Tips & ideas for approaching local businesses:

• Arrange for a teacher or parent to accompany students to local businesses and ask for their support.
• Send each business a letter from your school principal requesting support for the school - Download the letter to local business template.
• You have nothing to lose – if you don’t ask you’ll never know!
• Acknowledge each business that supports you in some way (e.g. certificate, letter of thanks, mention in school newsletter).

Support from Local council or Member of Parliament

Inviting local council or your local member of parliament to be part of your National Ride2School Day is a great way to make your school stand out and may also assist in getting support for improved infrastructure.

The best way to approach your local council is to follow these steps:

1. Inform them about your National Ride2School Day – Provide as much detail about your day as possible (i.e. what you are planning - activities etc).

2. Formally invite them to participate in your National Ride2School Day by reffering to this letter template.  Here are some ideas on how they could be involved:

• Encourage community support
• Get more schools participating
• Host a special breakfast for students
• Judge a competition
• Offer prizes for participation
• Your local Mayor or Councilor may attend your school assembly
  

How local police can be involved

Students love a visit from local police!  They can be great in:

• Speaking to students about the road rules and giving tips about road safety.
• Engraving student bikes to prevent theft.