← Back to Active Schools Toolkit
Key Priority Area
Active Travel
Walking, riding or scooting to school can help students be active as part of their day.
Schools can support active travel by sharing safe routes, working with families and making space for bikes and scooters.
About Active Travel
Active Travel means walking, riding or scooting to and from school. Students can travel actively for all or part of the trip. Schools and families can work together to find safe, suitable options.
Why this matters
Walking or riding with others can help students connect with family and friends.
When more people walk or ride, there may be less traffic around the school. Safe routes and crossings are still important.
Top 3 actions to get started
Promote walking, riding and scooting across your local school community.
Work with families and local council to identify safer routes to school.
Provide safe bike and scooter storage. Try a walk-or-ride day.
Making it inclusive
Help families find active travel options that suit their needs and where they live.
- Work with families to find suitable, accessible routes
- Offer shorter routes or a meeting point close to school
- Consider mobility, sensory and supervision requirements
- Offer alternatives such as park-and-walk or partial active travel
- Work with students and families to identify barriers and suitable supports
Families are generally responsible for their children while travelling to and from school. Schools must follow Department supervision rules for any school-run activity.
Sustainable practice
Choose safe and practical ways to support Active Travel.
- Encourage walking, riding and scooting for suitable journeys
- Reduce car use for short school trips
- Use durable and secure bike and scooter infrastructure
- Work with families and local groups to keep active travel going
- Plan for weather, traffic and local road conditions
See it in practice
Real stories from Victorian schools
Primary School
Creswick North Primary School
See how a bike track and bike lessons help Creswick North students build cycling skills.
Secondary School
Cobden Secondary College
See how Cobden students repaired donated bikes and built practical cycling skills.
Specialist School
Swan Hill Specialist School
See how Swan Hill students learn cycling skills using an all-weather bike track.
Resources organised by need
Find ideas to help students walk, ride or scoot safely to and from school.
Walk or Ride to School
Practical programs and ideas to help more students walk, ride and scoot to and from school.
Featured resources:
Build active travel skills
Help students learn safe walking, bike and scooter skills.
Featured resources:
Plan Safer Routes and Crossings
Find suitable routes and crossings. Work with local council on changes that may improve access and safety.
Featured resources:
Build Partnerships and Support
Work with your council, families and local groups to support active travel.
Featured resources:
Explore more Active Travel resources
Find school stories, guides and ideas for Active Travel.
School Stories & Case Studies
See how Victorian schools help students travel actively.
Choose your next step
Choose a step to help more students travel actively to and from school.
Review you current practice
Plan your next step
Explore practical ideas
Explore partnerships
Review your progress
Acknowledgements | Copyright | Privacy | Accessibility | Contact
The Active Schools Toolkit has been developed for the Victorian Department of Education by Active Education Australia.