Suggested initiatives

Listed below are some suggested school travel plan initiatives. For more information or for other ideas of what you can do to promote sustainable travel at your school contact the School Travel Advisors by using the link on this page.

Walking initiatives

• Walk to school campaign – especially in Walk to School Week (September/October and May each year).
• Walking bus – accompanied by parents on a rota basis. A guide to walking buses is attached to this page.
• Provide bright or reflective clothing or armbands.
• School car free day.
• Kerbcraft pedestrian training.
• "Walk the world" - measure set distances (for example around the playground) and total up distances covered each week. Plot on large map and link to curriculum.
• Leisure walks.

Cycling initiatives

• secure cycle storage
• cycle training
• issue cycle permits and policies.
• well fitting cycle helmets, with CE mark and one of the normal safety standards
• bright or reflective clothing or armbands
• cycle maintenance days – 'Dr. Bike' sessions
• road safety training and education
• cycle training courses
• family cycle rides - PTA involvement

Car users

• 'Park and stride' initiative, using a parking place some distance from the school
• car sharing
• car exclusion zone around school gates
• voluntary one-way systems
• introduce 'Drivers’ Code of Practice' for parents
• pre-driver training

Public transport

• promoting use of bus and rail
• explore new services, better routes and fare promotions
• parent escorts on buses
• information and publicity on routes and timings
• bus behaviour codes

Curriculum

• Geography – map work, safe route planning, sustainability.
• ICT/Maths – survey analysis.
• CDT – cycle storage designs.
• English/Literacy – publicity and promotional leaflets.
• PSHE – risk management, safety, health and exercise issues.
• Art – poster and leaflet designs and illustrations.
• Drama – Theatre in education.
• Eco-school and Schools for Health links.

School management issues

• school policy statement on travel to school
• access restrictions within school grounds
• separation of pedestrians, cyclists and cars on school premises
• staff supervision of school buses
• length of school day
• provision of lockers and all-weather shelters
• school Council involvement in travel planning
• annual travel survey and review of travel plan targets

Involving parents

• Travel Plan Working Group
• walking bus escorts
• pedestrian training
• exploring routes to school
• car sharing. A guide to car sharing is attached to this page.
• family cycle training
• family leisure walk and cycle rides

Publicity

• school newsletters
• corridor or classroom displays on sustainable travel
• school prospectus and policy
• assemblies
• induction day and parents’ evenings
• public transport and safe route information pack

Traffic engineering and highway measures (subject to Local Transport Plan funding priorities)

• improvements to walking and cycling routes to school
• school Zone
• parking provision for school buses
• safe crossings outside schools or on routes
• cycle lanes
• school crossing patrols
• speed limit changes