Towards the end of 2009, Woree State School teacher Ian Mason has spent hours of his own time to construct a cycle safety track at Woree State School. The track provides a safe environment for children to learn the road rules.

At the time we suggested media and government take an interest in this real ‘good news story’, to recognise Ian’s dedication to this fantastic project. This has now happened (see below).

Woree School Cycle Safety Track

It is worth considering how many more positive projects we could progress in our community if there were more citizens like Ian Mason, and more agencies like Earlville Rotary, who have provided useful assistance in relation to this project and many others.

Woree School Wins Road Safety Award!

Woree State School received a 2011 Road Safety Award for their little bike track last week. The awards are a joint initiative of RACQ and QUT’s Centre for Accident Research and Road Safety – Queensland (CARRS-Q).

This year Woree State School was recognised and honoured for their outstanding effort with their Bike Education and Road Safety program.

It is conducted on their specially constructed track which is asphalted and has an intersection controlled by solar powered traffic lights, a railway crossing and lights, a roundabout, pedestrian crossing and various other intersections, signage (Stop, Give Way, Railway Crossing etc), a turn only lane, unsealed section and a bridge. It has also been professionally line marked.

The facility has been designed to be as realistic as possible, to enable children to experience bike riding and practice their skills in a safe, rewarding environment, to give them the knowledge and understanding of the road traffic environment and its laws. It also helps the children in the development of the physical and cognitive skills required to manage such an environment. By developing responsible behaviours, attitudes and decision making skills when using their bicycles they believe they will be laying the foundation for responsible road use for life. There is hope that this will also assist in the lowering of our future road toll.

The program is firmly embedded in the school’s curriculum from years 3 to 7 as well as their Special Education Program.

By helping the children become more confident bike riders, more of them will be likely to ride their bikes to school on a daily basis. Our environment will also benefit through less traffic congestion and fewer emissions resulting in cleaner air.

The Awards Ceremony was held at Parliament House in Brisbane on Friday 14 October 2011.

Key representatives responsible for community road safety activities including the State Minister for Transport and Multicultural Affairs – the Hon Annastacia Palaszczuk, Members of Parliament, the Police Commissioner – Bob Atkinson, CARRS Q and the RACQ attended the event to recognize the efforts of government, schools, businesses and communities in their ongoing quest to keep our roads safe. It is hoped that some of the projects could be embedded into future programs and policies.

Woree State School was both proud and humbled to be awarded the 2011 Road Safety Award for Queensland Schools.

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