Why walking to school matters
Happy, healthier children
Research has proven that children who do some form of exercise before school do better in class because they arrive refreshed, fit and ready to learn.
Less congestion
During morning peak traffic times, one in four cars on the road are taking children school, contributing to congestion, air pollution and carbon emissions.
Cleaner air
The school run alone contributes a million and a half tonnes of carbon dioxide into the environment every year (which is more than some small countries). Imagine what we could achieve if we began converting some of these drives to walks or wheels.
Ways to promote walking to school
Walk to School Week is a national campaign aimed at getting children and their families walking to school in May each year.
Walk to School Month is an international campaign aimed at getting children and their families walking to school in October each year.
Read our suggestions of Walk to School activities and ideas.
To help promote walking to school you can print one of our free posters, one for the Clean Air campaign, the other for your own events.
Walking zones
A walking zone is an area you map around your school. It shows the areas that are 5, 10 and 15 minute walking distances from your school entrance.
People living within the 15 minute zone should be walking or wheeling to school, unless an impairment stops them.
If a family lives further away and chooses to drive, they should be Parking and Striding. This is where you park away from the school site and walk the remaining distance. Most schools in the city do not have capacity for numerous cars driving to the gates. Walking part of the distance is great for you and your child/children.
How to create a walking zone map
A walking zone map is most effective if it's customised by people using their local knowledge. This is a great activity for pupils and teachers to do in their Geography lessons.
All schools in the city have a walking zone map. Check the school’s website or ask the office if you want to see it.
If you have any further queries or your local school does not have their walking zone map, send an email to the School Travel Team.
Contact the School Travel Team.
Walking and wheeling buses
A walking and wheeling bus is a fun, healthy, safe and sustainable way of travelling to school.
Powered by good old-fashioned legwork, the children and volunteers walk or wheel in a group along a set route, picking up or dropping off 'passengers' at specific 'bus stops' on their journey to and from school.
Everyone wears a walking bus hi-vis tabard so that the walking or wheeling bus can be easily seen and gives the children a sense of belonging.
A walking or wheeling bus can be easy to set up.
It must have:
- a minimum of 2 adults per route (parents)
- an adult 'driver' at the front of the bus
- a 'conductor' at the back of the bus
- the correct ratio of adult to child depending on the age group.
Benefits of a walking or wheeling bus
By setting up a walking or wheeling bus at your school, you will:
- help contribute to the 60 minutes of recommended daily exercise for a child
- provide children with the opportunity to learn essential road safety skills
- give children more social time with other children
- reduce local congestion and pollution
- encourage parents and carers to be part of the process
- support healthier and more sustainable ways of travel while saving fuel costs.