FREMANTLE, WA. Bike buses are growing across Perth and around the world, and Fremantle Primary School is joining the movement with an idea led by its own students.
On 3 August, 42 students, family members and Principal Adriano Truscott rode to school together, enjoying a very Freo, active and social start to the day.
The Bike Bus idea emerged from a student Leadership Lab and was championed by members of the school’s Green Team. The event gave students the opportunity to see one of their ideas become a reality while encouraging active travel and building confidence on local roads. The project reflects the school’s focus on developing creative, critical thinkers who can turn ideas into action and contribute positively to a caring, connected community.
A Green Team student said, “It was a fun experience because you get to exercise with your friends and ride around Fremantle safely. We came up with the idea at a Leadership Lab, and it was great that it happened.”
The size of the group also meant traffic was briefly slowed along parts of the route. Fremantle Primary School thanks local drivers for their patience, care and support as the Bike Bus travelled through the neighbourhood.
The Bike Bus offers families an alternative to the familiar traffic and parking scramble around the school. Travelling as a visible group helps families build confidence, gives children an energetic start to the day and strengthens neighbourhood connections along the route.
P&C Vice-President Jodie Sarginson said, “Such a fun event. Rode down lanes and streets we used to walk down but haven’t for a while. Loved it!”
Fremantle Primary School received support from Your Move to help launch the Bike Bus and make active travel a practical and enjoyable choice for the school community.
Along with making the journey fun, supervisors fitted pool noodles cut to one-metre lengths to their bikes. The noodles demonstrated the legal minimum passing distance on roads with speed limits of 60 km/h or less and gave other road users a clear road-safety reminder.
“It was wonderful to see children and families arriving with such energy and confidence. Active travel connects us with our school, our neighbours and our streets. The Bike Bus makes that connection something to celebrate,” said the Fremantle Primary School Board Chair.