Smartcard technology motivates children to walk or ride bicycles to school

"Primary schools in Melbourne have begun using myki-style smartcard technology to get more children to ride or walk to school instead of being driven. Students are being given a small smartcard fob called an ActiveTag, which they "touch on" when they get to school in the morning, earning points if they have cycled or walked."

"The mix of technology and peer pressure has produced stark results at Malvern Valley Primary, the first school to join the program...Malvern Valley Primary principal Gaylene Fehlberg said the big swing to active transport among students had not yet produced an equal reduction in motorised trips to school. Some parents "kerb crawl" in their cars behind their cycling children, she said."

"The electronic tagging system, which uses radio-frequency identification, is part of Bicycle Network's $2.8 million Ride2School program. Funding for the program is due to expire in June next year."

"Bicycle Network general manager of behaviour change Tess Allaway said Ride2School had increased cycling and walking rates from 20 per cent to more than 50 per cent at the 1400 schools involved.  "The Ride2School program has received strong support from both sides of government since its inception back in 2006 – because the program works," she said."

Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/victoria/schools-use-smartcard-technology-to-get-more-students-to-ride-to-school-20141120-11qj5e.html#ixzz3JqOWMqNm

Update 23.11.2014

See Smart Tech Education http://smarttech.com/gb/Solutions/Education+Solutions

Whenever we see the word smart we should think surveillance and control. Think stupid.

Smart cards, smart phones, smart education, smart meters, smart cities, smart Glasgow etc.