Page 3711 - Week 08 - Friday, 24 August 2012
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(2) What plans does the Government have to promote active transport to schools and why has it chosen these programs over those previously funded.
Ms Gallagher: I am advised that the answer to the member’s question is as follows:
(1) Over the last three years, the following organisations have been successful in receiving funding through the ACT Health Promotion Grants Program (ACTHPGP) for targeted active transport programs in schools:
|
Organisation |
Project |
2009/10 |
2010/11 |
2011/12 |
|
Pedal Power ACT |
Pedal Pod Project |
$17,600 | ||
|
Pedal Power ACT |
Ride2School |
$18,973 |
$38,564 | |
|
Pedal Power ACT |
TravelSmart to School ACT |
$29,610 | ||
|
YWCA |
ACT Walking School Bus Program |
$87,530 |
$90,156 |
N/A |
A number of other grants have supported in-school activities encouraging cycling programs which complement active transport.
(2) In 2011 an Active Travel to School Coordinator was employed to develop a program to promote active travel in schools as one initiative under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health. Extensive consultation with stakeholders has informed the approach to the new Ride or Walk to School Program. This entailed working with partners across Government and NGOs to assess priorities and agree on a way forward. The program is collaborative and evidence based with a strategy document currently being drafted. The program will be piloted in a small number of schools in 2012 and rolled out over the next three years.
In recent school consultations, ACT students were asked how they would like to get to school. The results show that most students are driven, however, the majority of students would prefer to get to school using an active mode of transport; riding a bike is the most appealing mode of transport for students. This aligns with findings from the Walk21 Benchmarking Survey undertaken in the ACT in 2010. In addition, car parking and traffic congestion is a major concern for many school communities for both economic and safety reasons.
In the past Australian active travel to school programs have had more success in increasing walking rather than cycling. In order to see more students riding bikes to school, targeted cycling programs are neededi . Cycling is about twice the intensity of walking. Several recent studies suggest that students who ride to school have significantly higher cardiovascular fitnessii and higher aerobic poweriii than those who walk or are driven to school.
The Walking School Bus (WSB), previously trialed in the ACT, reached a small number of children in ACT schools. The final evaluation from the YWCA identified increasing difficulty attracting and retaining volunteers and school participation. Volunteers are fundamental to ensure the implementation of the WSB. To ensure those schools choosing to continue or implement a WSB program receive ongoing support, a web based resource was developed, which can be found at the YWCA website.
________________________
iGarrard, J. 2011, Active Travel to School Literature Review, ACT Government Health Directorate
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