More than 1,600 Victorian primary school students have taken part in bike riding and road safety training through a joint program by RACV and Bicycle Network, as preparations continue for National Ride2School Day on Friday 20 March 2026.
The Ride2School Bike Ed program delivered 70 sessions across six Victorian council areas in 2025, focusing on students in grades three to six. The initiative aims to build confidence and practical skills ahead of the national event, where more than 350,000 students across Australia are expected to ride, walk, scoot or skate to school.
The program comes against a backdrop of declining participation in active travel. National data shows just 21 per cent of students regularly walk or ride to school, despite many living within one kilometre of their school.
Bicycle Network CEO Alison McCormack said the trend marked a sharp change from previous decades.
“In the 1970s and 1980s, eight out of ten Australian children walked or rode their bikes to school. Fast forward to today, and that number is just two out of ten,” Ms McCormack explained.
She said the annual event is designed to shift habits beyond a single day.
“National Ride2School Day is aiming to get more kids moving and celebrates walking and riding to school while helping normalise active travel for students, teachers and families beyond the event,” Ms McCormack said.
The Bike Ed program focuses on removing barriers that prevent children from riding to school.
“By removing the biggest barrier to riding to school — not knowing how to ride a bike — students are more motivated to regularly ride to school while meeting their daily physical activity needs.
“Our partnership with RACV helps us to deliver our goal of making riding to school a transport option for more families.”
RACV General Manager Corporate Affairs Liz Carey said the program also contributes to safer communities.
“Riding to school reduces car congestion around school zones, making our roads safer for everyone,” Ms Carey said.
“Ride2School’s Bike Ed program promotes active lifestyles and road safety for primary school students, making them feel more confident and capable in their community.”
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