ACT Minister for Education and Training Chris Bourke, today officially launched the Ride or Walk to School initiative at Kingsford Smith School, presenting participating schools of the program with bikes and helmets.

The Ride or Walk to School initiative aims to increase walking, cycling and use of public transport among school students in the ACT.

"Eleven schools are participating in the pilot phase of this three year program and will receive bike maintenance support, personal safety sessions, road safety education, BMX skills development workshops and a range of other activities," Minister Bourke said.

"Many of these activities will be provided by non-government organisations committed to working with the ACT Government to increase safety and physical activity levels of children and young people.

"Ride or Walk to School is the result of an extensive review of programs around the world that promote walking and riding to school following a comprehensive consultation process.

"While the ACT had good results in the recent Chief Health Officer's Report, the government is always looking to promote extra physical activity that can improve health and assist in decreasing the proportion of children and young people at an unhealthy weight.

"Other benefits of this program include easing traffic congestion, reducing greenhouse gas emissions, creating safer environments and improving social interaction. It may even encourage parents to join their children in becoming more physically active.

 "This is a joint Australian, State and Territory Government initiative under the National Partnership Agreement on Preventive Health.  It also aligns with Transport for Canberra, the International Charter for Walking and the National Bicycle Program 2011-2016 that the ACT Government is a signatory to.

"I look forward to seeing more students and families riding and walking to schools as a result of this initiative," Minister Bourke said.