On Friday, May, 17 children from across Australia will put their feet first, and journey towards a healthier future by participating in the National Walk Safely to School Day.
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The annual event raises awareness of the health, road safety, transport and environmental benefits of regular walking.
The event encourages primary school aged children to build walking into their daily routine, by walking to and from school.
Harold Scruby, Chairman and CEO of the Pedestrian Council of Australia, sys that physical inactivity is a major risk factor for many chronic diseases.
We really need teachers, parents, carers and the community to get behind this event.
- Harold Scruby
"Primary school aged children across Australia - it's time to get walking," he says.
"We really need teachers, parents, carers and the community at large to get behind this event and its objectives, the best exercise for all of us is regular walking.
"Children require at least 60 minutes huff and puff physical activity every day."
National Walk Safely to School Day also encourages parents and carers to walk more, reducing traffic congestion around schools, better use of public transport and the road safety message: "Until they are 10, children must always hold the hand of an adult when crossing the road".