Safety First: Mount Martha Primary School students follow White Bike Foundation’s Chris Savage, centre, Leading Senior Constable Neil Prosser, left, and Mornington Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn, right, on Bicycle Network National Ride2School Day. Picture: Yanni

MORNINGTON Peninsula mayor Cr Sam Hearn launched the White Bike

Foundation Ride for Joel 2020 last week, cycling from Mount Martha House to Mount Martha Primary School with students and police on Bicycle Network National Ride2School Day.

Chris Savage, co-founder of road safety charity, The White Bike Foundation, led the way with Mornington Police Senior Sergeants Paul Edwards and Kirby Tonkin ensuring the safety of the group, Friday 13 March.

Mr Savage is set to carry The White Bike Foundation’s #think2 message on a 1700km cycle from Dromana to Wentworth NSW over the next 10 days, visiting six schools in Victoria and NSW.

He said: “We launched our Schools Program late last year and we’re hoping to roll it out across more Mornington Peninsula schools this year. We believe these pupils hold the keys to the future of Australia’s road culture so we are working with them to encourage respect for all road users.”

Mount Martha Primary School teacher Despi O’Connor said: “We have actively been encouraging students to walk, scooter, skate or ride for 10 years now and the school has earned Gold School status for its efforts.

“National Ride2School Day is the perfect opportunity to kick-start healthy habits and promote the many benefits of active travel. We encourage all students and their families to leave the car at home and give riding, walking, scooting or skating to school a go.”

The White Bike Foundation was launched in 2018 after 17-year-old Joel Hawkins was hit by a car and killed while riding on Nepean Highway in 2015.

Les and Liza Hawkins, Joel’s parents said: “Joel attended Mount Martha Primary School, so it’s fitting that we’re launching the third annual ride for Joel here.”

First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 17 March 2020