After completing our Hands up Survey in term 4, we looked at the data and realised our bike riding cohort were not increasing as the years went on. Osborne Primary has done bike education lessons for the last 4 years and been to the Maylands safety school for the last 2 years, to consolidate these bike skills. So, the Your Move monitors came up with possible reasons why more upper school children don't ride to school more often. 

We then decided to find out from parents if these reasons were the same as ours! 

A connect notice was sent to all parents via mobile phone, of the Yr 3 - 6 students, to see why more children in this group don't ride to school more often. Disappointingly, we only had a small number of responses for the 6 questions asked of parents. One major concern was, lack of traffic wardens on most roads, which means cars don't slow down or stop for kids crossing. We do have a traffic warden on Hutton Street, but that is a double lane main road, and of course it's not viable to have wardens on all roads leading to the school. 

On Tuesday, December 4th, I had the privilege of attending the 2024 Your Move Awards at the beautiful Beaumonde on the Point in Perth. To reach the venue, I embraced the ethos of the Your Move program by utilising public transport. Using the Transperth Your Move Journey Planner, I mapped out the quickest and most affordable route, combining train and bus travel to ensure a smooth and environmentally friendly journey.

The event itself was a celebration of innovation and dedication to promoting safe, sustainable, and active travel across Western Australia. Attendees included educators, community leaders, and advocates committed to making active transport a key part of their schools and workplaces.

I was deeply honoured to be nominated for—and awarded—the “Your Move Champion”, recognising my contributions to promoting bike education and safe travel at Coastal Lakes College. This prestigious award acknowledges the efforts made across all WA schools, including Private, Independent, and Department of Education schools.

Over the past two years, I have passionately led fundraising efforts at CLC, successfully raising nearly $20,000. This funding has been instrumental in transforming our school community’s approach to bike education. Since being introduced to the Your Move program in 2022, I have worked tirelessly to promote bike safety, bike education, and hands-on bike maintenance workshops. These initiatives have had an especially profound impact on students in our Inclusive Education (IE) and Independent Living (IL) programs, some of whom have experienced the joy of riding a bike for the very first time.

With the funds raised, we have purchased 12 top-quality mountain bikes and three three-wheeler bikes, enabling our IE students to learn to ride safely and confidently. Additionally, we secured a sea container to provide secure storage for these bikes. These resources have not only enhanced our students’ physical skills but have also fostered confidence, independence, and road safety awareness.

I wholeheartedly recommend the Your Move program to schools and workplaces across Western Australia. The support and opportunities provided by this initiative are unparalleled, offering engaging, fun, and healthy activities that benefit participants of all ages.

Thank you to the Your Move team for this incredible honour and for supporting our college’s vision of promoting active travel. Looking ahead, CLC plans to expand its bike riding and active travel initiatives in 2025, continuing to embed these values into our school culture.

Congratulations to all the schools in the Your Move program, those who were finalists and the champions who won awards!

To anyone considering the Your Move program: it is a transformative journey worth embarking on. Together, we can create a healthier, more sustainable future for our communities.

It was an honour and an absolute pleasure to attend our second Your Move Awards. Department of Transport and Your Move, you once again, surpassed our expectations.  What a stunning venue! We celebrated at Beaumonde on the Point.  It was a beautiful setting on the river and a wonderful way to start the day off with a delectable breakfast.  Thank you!

We carpooled to the Your Move event getting a lift with one of the parents to the venue and on our return journey we travelled using Transperth trains and buses. Congratulations to the school that rode to the event!! Very impressive!!

It was such a privilege and an honour to share in this year’s panel! Thank you for the opportunity to be part of the panel discussion: What’s next for walking, wheeling and riding to school in WA! Very insightful and exciting for SPS too, as we are looking at both projects in 2025: the ‘Open Street’ trials and the ‘Bike Bus’.  

A huge congratulations to all the amazing 2024 winners! Very well deserved! We were delighted to be part of the awards as finalists.  The keynote speaker, Rhiannon Clarke, what an inspiration to us all. The two SPS student team members were overjoyed to have met her, and we had an opportunity to chat to Rhiannon afterwards.  It was so lovely to catch up with all the familiar faces during the morning session. Thank you for another wonderful event!