Active travel to school has halved since the 1970s, and fewer than one in four Australian children currently meet daily physical activity guidelines. Walk Safely to School Day, now in its 27th year, is calling on families to change that.
Taking place on Friday 22 May as part of National Road Safety Week, the initiative encourages children to walk to, during and from school, not just on the day itself, but as part of an everyday routine.
Pedestrian Council of Australia CEO Harold Scruby says the benefits of leaving the car behind are hard to ignore. “If you have to drive, park a few blocks from school and walk the rest of the way together,” he says. “In doing so, you teach your children about health and road safety and how to cross roads safely. Plus, you both get exercise, and we know children perform far better in the classroom when they are active before school.”
The 2026 Australian Government physical activity guidelines recommend children aged 5 to 17 accumulate at least 60 minutes of physical activity daily. Research shows only one third of Australian children currently use active travel for even part of their school journey.
Schools across South Australia are marking the day with community walks, healthy breakfasts and road safety activities. In Adelaide’s west, Kilkenny Primary School will gather families at McInerney Reserve from 7.45am before walking together to school, with coffee, music, chalk drawing, temporary tattoos and a Kick Start for Kids breakfast on arrival.
Schools from Port Pirie to Quorn, Naracoorte to Roxby Downs are also taking part, with community walks, breakfast activities and local twists on the day planned right across the state.
It is not too late to get involved. Visit walk.com.au for more information.
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