Scooters Cool For School

Monday 25 February 2013

Scooters are becoming an increasingly cool way to get to school, going by the demand for scooter training among the Wellington region's schools.
Melanie Thornton, Greater Wellington Regional Council's Sustainable Transport Manager, says the Council, sponsored by Wellington based company MICRO Scooters, ran a very successful scooter safety training pilot programme late last year.

"This year we're offering training to about 1000 children, which is all our current funding enables. We didn't do any special marketing or advertising, just sent the word around schools involved in our travel plan programmes, but there's certainly a big demand for it.

"Results from our School Travel Plan programme indicate that more than seven per cent of students' journeys to school are by scooter.

"Travelling by scooter can make the trip to school more fun and it gets you there faster than walking, which is a bonus for busy parents and caregivers."

Fran Wilde, Chair of the Regional Council, says the scooter programme teaches some basic road safety skills. "As well as having fun, the kids learn important and useful handling skills, traffic awareness, footpath etiquette, looking for cars reversing out of driveways and what to do at pedestrian crossings and intersections. Many of these skills are essential for all kinds of travel, whether it's scooting, walking, cycling, skateboarding, or - in years to come - driving.

"Helping kids to become street smart gives parents more confidence to let their kids travel independently. And the more kids who scoot, walk, or cycle to school, the less traffic congestion at school gates and on our roads, which is good for other road users and the environment."

Scooter safety training is being offered this year to schools in Trentham, Epuni, Churton Park, Te Aro and Masterton.

The scooter training is part of the Wellington region's School Travel Plan Programme, a joint partnership between schools, territorial authorities and the regional council, supporting communities to promote safe and active travel.

Issued by Greater Wellington Regional Council.

ends

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