Two Sunshine Coast schools are involved in a new initiative aimed at getting more students walking and riding to school.
Caloundra State High School and Caloundra State School, along with the state government, have launched the School Active Transport Infrastructure Pilot (SATIP).
The initiative aims to identify safe and connected infrastructure solutions, and will be led by the Department of Transport and Main Roads (TMR) along with the Department of Education and Sunshine Coast Council.
The 12-month SATIP will assess the physical environment within a 2km radius of the schools’ boundaries, as well as behaviours and attitudes towards riding bikes and walking to school.
Following the pilot, TMR has allocated $3 million to deliver behaviour change initiatives and infrastructure solutions such as path upgrades, new pedestrian crossings and bike storage facilities identified to help provide children and families greater choice in how they travel.
Want more free local news? Follow Sunshine Coast News on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram, and sign up for our FREE daily news email.
Minister for Transport and Main Roads and Buderim MP Brent Mickelberg said the number of Queensland children riding bikes and walking to school had declined during the past decade.
“We know traffic congestion during peak drop-off and pick-up times is a big frustration, so anything we can do to improve safety and efficiency on our roads must be implemented,” he said.
“This pilot will determine how safe and direct active transport infrastructure can be rolled out around schools, so that walking and bike riding is more appealing to parents and children.
“I look forward to working with the Department of Education, Sunshine Coast Council, Caloundra State School and Caloundra State High School to help provide families more and safer options for how they travel in their local community.”
Caloundra MP Kendall Morton was pleased to have her local schools involved in the SATIP.
“Easing congestion here in Caloundra is a top priority of mine,” she said.
“Through this pilot, the local community will help shape future solutions to enable Caloundra families to travel to and from school by bicycle or on foot more safely and take more cars off the road.”
Caloundra State High School principal Natasha Wicks was pleased the school was selected for the pilot.
“We are excited to be part of this innovative initiative to identify the right infrastructure and programs that will encourage our students to choose to walk or ride to school, embed healthy and sustainable travel habits as part of their everyday routine, and simultaneously increase student safety,” she said.
Sunshine Coast mayor Rosanna Natoli said better active transport facilities around schools benefited the region.
“As the Sunshine Coast is one of Australia’s fastest growing regions where most residents depend on cars, Council is committed to reducing traffic congestion to improve our quality of life and enhance our environment,” she said.
“Even our youngest residents can make an impact.”
For further information click here.
