This day is a great opportunity for families to walk to school together and have conversations about being a safe road user.
Primary school aged children across Australia will make those important steps towards a healthier future by participating in National Walk Safely to School Day on Friday 16 May 2025.
This year marks the 26th anniversary of National Walk Safely to School Day. Championed by the Pedestrian Council Australia, the initiative aims to raise awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits that regular walking, or alternative active transport (especially to and from school) can provide for the long term well-being of our children, not just on 16 May, but every day.
Here are some tips to help make walking to school a regular part of your routine:
Plan your route: Take some time to plan the safest and most convenient route to walk to school. Consider pedestrian crossings, footpaths, and traffic lights.
Set a schedule: Decide on the days and times you'll walk to school each week. Consistency is key to forming a new habit. Try to stick to your schedule as much as possible.
Safety first: ALWAYS hold your child’s hand until they are at least 8 years old. Closely supervise them until they are at least 10 years old.
ALWAYS hold your child's hand:
when on the footpath
when crossing the road or
when in a car park
Teach your child about being a safe pedestrian: This includes watching out for driveways, walking facing traffic when there are no footpaths and always Stop, Look, Listen, Think, everytime you cross the road.
Avoid distractions: Set a good example by putting your phone away. Focus on your surroundings. If you need to use your phone, stop in a safe place.
Make it fun: Keep the walks enjoyable by talking about what you see and about your day. This can help make the time go quickly and make walking to school something your child looks forward to.
Join forces: Coordinate with other families in your neighbourhood to walk to school together. Not only does this make it more fun for the kids, but it also provides additional safety in numbers.
Celebrate achievements: Celebrate achievements along the way to keep motivation high. Whether it's reaching a certain number of walks or noticing improvements in fitness, acknowledging progress can help reinforce the habit.
Practise, Practise, Practise: The more supervised pedestrian experiences your child can get the better, so they will be ready to safely travel by themselves when they are older.
Event Details:
Dates: Friday 16 May 2025