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Mind. Body. Pedalling on International Day of the Girl

To celebrate the United Nation’s International Day of the Girl, more than 100 teenage girls from Clayton South’s Westall Secondary College have spent the day focusing on their health and happiness.

Westall Secondary College is the final Victorian school for 2018 to take part in Ride2School’s award-winning physical activity program MIND. BODY. PEDAL.

Students from year 7 to 9 will take part in the day-long program which aims to empower and inspire more teenage girls to get the 60 minutes of exercise they need each day.

Led by a group of physical activity, bike riding and wellbeing experts including Ride2School, The Kindness Effect and Good Wheel Hunting, MIND. BODY. PEDAL takes a unique approach to addressing topics such as self-esteem, confidence, physical health, wellbeing and bike riding skills.

Now in its second year, MIND. BODY. PEDAL has worked with more than 1,100 teenage girls across 20 schools. 

As part of our Victorian election campaign, we've pitched to expand the successful and popular MIND. BODY. PEDAL program so that we can continue to keep up with high demand and reach new schools. 

Bicycle Network spokesperson, Anthea Hargreaves, said that MIND. BODY. PEDAL inspires girls to break through the unique barriers that prevent them from riding and support them to take positive action to improve their health.

“Currently, only one in 10 young people get enough exercise, with teenage girls twice as inactive as boys in the same age bracket,” Ms Hargreaves said.

“MIND. BODY. PEDAL works with students to help them overcome concerns that hold many teenage girls back, while empowering them to get active in a fun and supportive environment."

Championing participation of women and girls

As a Change our Game champion, Bicycle Network is proud to be part of the team that’s taking a stand to increase participation and leadership of women and girls in sport and recreation. 

Together we can identify and overcome the systemic barriers that hold many women back as we move towards 50/50. 

We are committed to making the leadership and participation of women and girls a strategic focus in our organisation and across bike riding.