Bicycle Network
Bicycle Network is asking Aussie parents and children to take on the ‘summer screen time cycling challenge’ these school holidays to help get their daily dose of exercise.
The challenge is to match every hour of screen time with an hour of bike riding each week.
Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) data shows that 90 per cent of children look at screens each week and that most of those children get more than 10 hours of screen time per week. At the same time, more than 70 per cent of children are missing out on their necessary 60 minutes of daily exercise.
Bicycle Network General Manager of Public Affairs Anthea Hargreaves said that taking the summer screen time cycling challenge is great way to start building healthy habits and work towards an active 2020.
“It’s vital that children get 60 minutes of physical activity every day to maintain their health and the easiest way to reach this goal is by riding a bike,” said Ms Hargreaves.
“With its warm weather and long days, summer is the perfect time to get into the habit of riding a bike and is a great way to get ready for ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ride2School Day on Friday 13 March 2020.”
Bicycle Network’s ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ride2School Day is Australia’s biggest celebration of active travel and more than 350,000 students are expected to participate on 13 March 2020.
“³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ride2School Day is a fun way for students and parents to experience the joy of riding a bike. There’s no better time to make riding to school part of your routine,” added Ms Hargreaves.
Schools that register for ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ride2School Day before the end of 2019 will receive a free event pack by the start of term one 2020 with posters, stickers and information to help encourage students to ride to school.
Ride2School works with schools to break down the barriers to active travel by helping plan easy riding routes, develop students’ riding skills and provide equipment including bike parking racks and sheds.
Schools engaged in the program report a higher than average active travel rate of around 50 per cent, more than double the national average.
Registrations for ³Ô¹ÏÍøÕ¾ Ride2School Day are now open for schools at . Ride2School is funded by state governments in Victoria and Tasmania.
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/Public Release.
