ACT Schools Encourage Daily Walking Routine
ACT schools are encouraging students and families to participate in Walk Safely to School Day on 22nd May, as part of the National Road Safety Week. This initiative aims to integrate walking into children's daily routines to promote health and environmental benefits.
Research indicates that active travel to school has significantly decreased since the 1970s, with fewer than one in four Australian children meeting daily physical activity guidelines. The initiative hopes to address this by encouraging regular walking.
Sacred Heart Primary School in Pearce is among the schools participating. Principal David Austin highlighted the importance of the event, stating, "Walk Safely to School Day is a simple but important way to encourage healthy habits, road safety awareness and community connection."
Schools Adapt to Promote Walking
Several schools are adapting their activities to ensure participation despite planned industrial action. For instance, Ainslie School in Braddon will hold its events on 21st May, including walks from various locations followed by community activities.
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby emphasised the multiple benefits of walking part of the school journey, noting that it enhances children's health and classroom performance while reducing traffic congestion and pollution.
Schools such as Good Shepherd Primary School in Amaroo and Holy Trinity Primary School in Curtin are also organising events like community walks and school activities to foster family engagement and promote road safety.
For more information on how to get involved, visit walk.com.au. Walk Safely to School Day continues to be a vital part of encouraging active and safe travel for Australian children.
The 2026 Australian Government physical activity guidelines recommend that children aged 5–17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. However, research shows only one third of Australian children use active travel for even part of their school journey.
Harold Scruby, from the Pedestrian Council, advocates for parking a few blocks from school and walking the rest of the way. This approach not only teaches children about health and road safety but also helps reduce dangerous traffic jams and vehicle emissions near school gates.
According to Scruby, children who are active before school perform better academically. He encourages Canberra families to adopt walking as one of the easiest ways to help children achieve their daily physical activity needs.
Families are urged to remember that until children are 10 years old, they should always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road. This safety measure is crucial in ensuring children's safety during their walk to school.
Last updated: 15 May 2026, 1:20 pm
