Parents put bikes together to ‘KRUz’ kids to ‘sKOOL’
BIKE BUS
WHAT do you do if you’re a group of parents concerned about a dangerous intersection without a suitable pedestrian crossing? You create your own ‘bike bus’, of course, providing a safer passage for children to get to and from school.
While it’s not as simple as it sounds, that’s exactly what the Port Douglas State School P&C Committee have achieved with the sKOOL KRUz concept, which was officially launched this morning.
The committee has been running the program every Friday since April in reaction to students crossing the dangerous Port Douglas Rd near the roundabout at Ulysses and Agincourt Streets.
Accompanied by KRUz leaders who have undertaken specialist bike education and safety training programs, kids are met at four different stops on bicycles - at Four Mile Park, Mitre Street, Ulysses St and the Bike Racks - getting them to and from the school safely.
"We are providing safe passage for the children, whilst enjoying the health and convenience benefits of biking to school,” says sKOOL KRUz coordinator Annie Crowson.
“We also aim to create an awareness with the local community, that children cross the road daily, and as drivers we need to be considerate of our children by showing courtesy and patience.”
The model was inspired by the Trinity Beach Bike Bus and has been nurtured by members of the parent committee, who received a $5000 Grant from NRMA that literally put the wheels in motion.
"The sKOOL KRUz has reinforced the importance of good decision making, looking out for others, physical activity and getting to know people in the community,” says Sandra Cruz, a parent of three young registered riders.
Another parent, Michelle Scott, said her two youngest children had been participating in the bike bus since it started.
“They absolutely love it,” she said.
“I not only feel at ease knowing they are riding to school safely but they are being taught the correct road rules for cyclists as well.”
Port Douglas State School principal Benjamin Gaske, a frequent rider with the sKOOL KRUz, said the initiative was also a wonderful example his school putting a value on a healthy and active lifestyle.
“When our students, parents and staff ride through our community on the sKOOL KRUz they are showcasing the wonderful relationship between all of our stakeholders and this leads to better education overall,” Gaske said.
The school celebrated the launch with a morning tea today.
The sKOOL KRUz Bike Bus:
Stop 1 (8.15am) - Four Mile Park
Stop 2 (8.20am) - Mitre Street
Stop 3 (8.30am) - Ulysses Street
Stop 4 (8.40am) - Bike Racks (PDSS)
