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Sadly, many children in Echuca won't get that opportunity because of the lack of safe foot and cycle paths.
Active Transport Echuca East Group (ATEEG) member Jodi Ujimoto said despite living within 2 km of their local school, half of the children living at Echuca East were unable to safely take part in Bicycle Network's national program.
“The lack of sufficient bicycle paths, footpaths and safe crossings means they cannot safely walk or ride their bicycles for this daily journey,” she said.
“Of key importance are the absence of cycle paths and footpaths on the main through streets including Eyre, Bowen, Sutton, Sturt and Darling streets as well as the lack of safe crossing points on Bowen, Pakenham and Sturt streets and Goulburn Rd.
“While many of the streets in Echuca East are wide, they have unsealed edges so riding or walking along the edge of the road is also undesirable and dangerous.
“This leaves local parents with no option but to drive their children the short distance to and from their local school.”
The Tarczon family lives on the north side of Goulburn Rd, where there are no footpaths or safe crossing points.
Jasmin Tarczon said it was difficult to cross Goulburn Rd with children because of the amount of traffic.
“It's so dangerous. There's been many times we have attempted to go bike riding with the kids and have to turn back home because the roads are just too dangerous for the little ones,” she said.
“This leaves us with upset kids, not to mention the amount of times we've visited the bike shop to repair punctures caused by bindis is ridiculous.
“Please, can we get continual footpaths and safe crossings in Echuca East?”
ATEEG is a volunteer group of Echuca residents campaigning for cycle paths, footpaths and safe crossing points so all Echuca East residents can safely walk and cycle as part of their daily lives.
ATEEG recently made a presentation to Campaspe Shire Council about its vision to ensure all Echuca East residents, including school children, can safely walk or cycle from their front door.
Anyone interested in joining the group can do so by emailing ateegroup@gmail.com or visiting facebook.com/groups/ATEEGroup/
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