Encouraging Active Travel for Children
Schools across the Northern Territory are urging parents to embrace Walk Safely to School Day on 22nd May, as part of an initiative to address declining rates of active travel among children.
Research indicates that active travel to school has halved since the 1970s, with fewer than one in four Australian children meeting daily physical activity guidelines. Walk Safely to School Day, now in its 27th year, aims to reverse this trend.
Jingili Primary School in Darwin and Ross Park Primary School in Alice Springs are participating in the event. Principal Mark Mangohig of Jingili Primary stated, “This initiative offers a simple yet powerful opportunity for our community to build healthy habits, strengthen road safety awareness, and enjoy valuable time together before the school day begins.”
Principal Penny Weily of Ross Park Primary remarked, “Walk Safely to School Day is a valuable opportunity to encourage children and families to slow down, reconnect and think more consciously about road safety and active travel.”
Promoting Road Safety and Health
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby advocates for parking a few blocks from school and walking the rest, to improve children's health and road safety awareness. He states, “If you have to drive, park a few blocks from school and walk the rest of the way together.”
The 2026 Australian Government physical activity guidelines recommend children aged 5-17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. However, only a third engage in active travel for school journeys.
Both Jingili and Ross Park Primary Schools will host community walks and road safety activities on Walk Safely to School Day. Hector the Road Safety Cat will also be present at these events.
The initiative is part of National Road Safety Week, which emphasises the importance of building safety awareness among children. Schools are encouraged to integrate walking into daily routines, not just on the event day.
Parents and schools can access more information and register for the day on the official website walk.com.au. Interviews with local NT principals and Harold Scruby are available for those interested.
