Students’ road-safety boost
Bridgestone and Road Safety Education Ltd (RSE) have their renewed commitment to steering future generations with a five-year extension to the tyre brand’s long-term support of the Ryda programme.
Ryda is RSE’s flagship run throughout New Zealand and Australia. Through classroom learning boosted by interactive and engaging workshops, it aims to empower 16 to 18-year-old learners, drivers and passengers with the knowledge and tools to make safe choices on our roads.
Bridgestone has been a partner of RSE and Ryda since 2016, reaching more than 880,000 students from around 1,110 schools since its inception.
According to Heath Barclay, Bridgestone Australia and New Zealand’s managing director, the increased commitment will support RSE to further expand its operations and reach a greater number of young people through Ryda.
He says: “The benefit that the Ryda programme has on road users is undeniable and vital in ensuring our next generation of road users are adopting a safe mindset, especially in their first few years on the roads.
“Over the past nine years, we’ve seen the impact that Ryda makes in communities. Through our renewed, multi-year partnership, we’re committed to supporting its growth so Ryda can benefit even more young New Zealanders and Australians.”
Ryda's unique, evidence-backed approach to education sees the organisation work with schools to integrate road safety in the regular curriculum. The method of education implemented by Ryda supports and amplifies core messages delivered and behaviours learnt.
In Ryda workshops, students investigate real crashes and their causes with survivors of road trauma, are given insight from law enforcement, and are challenged to understand their personal risk profiles and are provided with take practical steps to reduce them.
The programme also empowers students to speak up and call out unsafe driving behaviours and practices among their peers.
The workshops are facilitated by a mix of professionals and volunteers, with Bridgestone staff also supporting the programme through volunteering opportunities.
“Our collaboration with Ryda is a true partnership providing shared value,” adds Barclay. “Our own staff have benefited from volunteering to help support the programme and see firsthand the impact the programme has.”
Ryda aims to reach more than 100,000 students per year by 2030, and says continued investment and strategic support from Bridgestone will be a key element in reaching this milestone.
Maria Lovelock, chief executive officer of RSE, says: “We are grateful for the continued support from Bridgestone towards our vision of creating communities free from road deaths and serious injuries.
“We know Ryda works. In communities where all the schools attend, we can see clear reductions in youth road trauma.
“Overwhelmingly, schools tell us the programme should be compulsory and they see the value in building it into their curriculum. This additional commitment and funding from Bridgestone will ensure we can continue to subsidise schools and grow our impact.”
