Hands Up! - the key to active travel

 

“If our Ride2School program influences some of our students to become life-long cyclists - we will be very satisfied” says teacher Maurice Ryan at Brunswick South West Primary School (BSWP).

He believes a key strategy in influencing more students to get on their bikes has been giving them responsibility for the school’s Hands Up! census.

It’s an opportunity for them to learn a whole range of skills. They learn confidence in talking in front of a group; experience in collecting, collating and analysing data; presentation skills and more.

Last year students created an entry into the Victorian Maths Talent quest out of their Hands Up! data.

“The prep, 1-2 students really look up to the older kids and get a kick out of having them come around to their classroom and talk to them", says Maurice

The school has also designed a Hands Up! trophy made out of a component from a pre-loved bike  which generates fierce competition between classes to have the highest active travel rate each month.

They've even used the year 5 - 6 homework sheets to challenge the students to design a scooter storage area, bike shed and landscaped bike parking for the front of the school. The weekly homework sheet also serves as a useful reminder of the next Hands Up! Census date.

BSWP students participate in Bike Ed once a year and they've had some great trips including a ride along the Moonee Ponds Creek Trail to Docklands and a spin around the Brunswick Velodrome on the Merri Creek Trail.

National Ride2School Day is also a highlight on their calendar each year.